The New York Knicks’ young bench has often kept games close after the starting lineup has crapped all over the court at the outset. What Thursday’s matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers presupposed is...what if the youngsters were starting?
With Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose and Lance Thomas all on the shelf with various injuries, Jeff Hornacek with three rookies in the starting lineup: Ron Baker, Mindaugas Kuzminskas and Will Hernangomez. As if to show their veteran mentors all the valuable lessons they’ve learned this past season, the young Knicks didn’t bother to defend or hit shots, as Portland quickly built the lead up to double-digits.