Knicks Could Turn to Alternative Starting Option

The question as to which former New York Knicks reserve would enjoy the elevation into the starting lineup continues to persist as one of the most intriguing underlying storylines in the NBA entering the offseason's final week. The Knicks have, after all, cracked a new level of contending expectations, and few teams in their newfound tier have similarly-outstanding holes to fill.

The spotlight as to who'll join regular Knicks stars Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges in the opening night starting-five roll call has mostly followed two key role players: Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson.

Hart entered training camp with the edge in recent experience, having led the league minutes with 37.6 as last year's lead hustler. He theoretically filled a void as a crucial defender in the back court in helping to cover up for Brunson's unimpressive defense, but the playoffs showed the difference between Hart and Robinson, who actually anchored the defense when they needed it most.

He provides a double-big look alongside Towns that new head coach Mike Brown seems to like, with Robinson's momentum towards making his victorious, long-awaited return to the starting unit only gaining in recent weeks. But Robinson's far from the same dependable attendance bet as Hart, with CBS Sports' Sam Quinn already flagging the need for backup option in case Robinson isn't readily available and if Hart's starting fit really is that unsalvageable.

"Offensively, McBride is too talented a shooter for opponents to guard him with a center as they did Hart," Quinn wrote. "That prevents defenses from using three defenders against the Brunson-Towns pick-and-roll, which never quite gained traction last season largely because of Hart. If properly spaced, that's a potentially lethal play.

"Defensively, while McBride is small, he's a ferocious point-of-attack defender that's eager to get physical. Bridges is not. At this point in his career, he's more comfortable as an off-ball playmaker. Playing the two of them together would therefore pay dividends for Bridges, who has slipped significantly from his former All-Defense form."