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Mike Brown’s lineup experiments are paying dividends for Knicks
Mike Brown’s flexible approach to Knicks line-ups is giving more players meaningful minutes and helping the team prepare for different situations. The experiments reflect a broader focus on developing the group through the regular season, rather than relying on a fixed rotation to maximise each night’s result.
New York used an 11-man rotation in its 109-97 win over Cleveland on Saturday, with all 11 players appearing in the first half, including Mohamed Diawara and Dalton Knecht. Brown says regular-season opportunities build trust, readiness and familiarity with varied line-ups, drawing on last season’s title run, when players such as Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson stepped up in the play-offs. The approach also means roles can shift: Jose Alvarado, who began the season as backup point guard, has fallen behind Tyler Kolek.
In short
- Brown is testing line-ups and expanding the Knicks’ rotation.
- Eleven players featured in the first half against Cleveland.
- The experiments aim to build trust and play-off readiness.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A flexible rotation can build depth, trust and familiarity before the play-offs, when injuries or match-ups may require less-used players to contribute. Giving players meaningful minutes during the regular season may also help the team adapt to different opponents and sustain performance over a long campaign.
The case against
Frequent lineup changes can make it harder for players to settle into clear roles and develop on-court chemistry, while reducing minutes for established contributors. If the priority is winning each regular-season game, a more consistent rotation could help players build rhythm and give the team a clearer sense of its strongest combinations.
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