Over the first 11 games of the 2019-20 NBA season, the New York Knicks have fielded six different starting lineups, and though some of the changes have come due to injuries to players like Mitchell Robinson and Elfrid Payton, much of it can be attributed to coach David Fizdale’s “keep what you kill” policy that was put in place last season. But has this policy benefited the Knicks, or have Fizdale’s rotations and player management skills been debilitating to an organization looking to build through youth?
Though the idea of keeping players accountable for poor performances can be seen as positive, it can just as easily foster an environment of fear where players are too afraid to make mistakes and lose minutes.