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Tom Thibodeau says “the game tells you what to do.” He should take his own advice. The game should’ve told him to keep a hot Landry Shamet in against the Pistons, or leverage 5-out with Karl-Anthony Towns more, or try the double big approach against other Twin Tower teams. It’s been an oddly disappointing 50-win year for the Knicks.

NBA 2K has a tool that lets you build a team’s rotation, providing a perfect thought experiment for fans frustrated by Thibs. Creating a great 48-minute template rotation is not easy, and I’d argue the actual in-game adjustments are even more crucial.

I tried my hand at putting together a general playoff rotation to maximize the Knicks’ talent and put players in the best position to succeed. I mixed my preferences with what I expect from Thibs. Let’s dive in:

The Rotation

We’ll break it down lineup-by-lineup. But first:

• Note that the combos are in 3-minute intervals, for consistency. 2 minutes don’t feel like enough time. 4-minute intervals only give you 12 total combos.

• I wanted to keep Brunson, OG, and KAT fresh with 36 minutes each. Of course, they can and will get 39+ when needed.

• Again, in-game adjustments based on player performance should alter a rotation. This is just a template.

First Quarter

Usual 5 for 6 minutes: There’s almost zero chance the starting lineup changes.

JB/Deuce/OG/KAT/Mitch for 3 mins: Let’s cut right to the Twin Towers lineup, with great defenders around the two best players, and four shooters on the floor.

JB/Deuce/Shamet/Josh/Mitch for 3 mins: Bring Josh back in to keep the rebounding up, and empower Landry Shamet to let it fly off flares, pin-downs, and in transition. If he gets hot, he can start the next quarter.

Second Quarter

Cam/Deuce/Mikal/Hart/KAT for 3 mins: KAT’s second-unit runs are usually fun. This squad can run, shoot, and be scrappy. (+22.1 net rating in 83 mins).

Cam/Deuce/Mikal/OG/KAT for 3 mins: First look at 5-out with great defenders in.
If Cam Payne’s offense hurts the flow in the previous combo, Delon Wright or Landry Shamet can sub in here.

JB/Mikal/OG/KAT/Mitch for 3 mins: Back with the double bigs look, this time with the fan-favorite theoretical lineup.

JB/Hart/Mikal/OG/Mitch for 3 mins: Protect KAT from any stupid fouls during the final minutes, and keep defense around Brunson.

Third Quarter

Usual 5 for 6 mins: This could easily be extended to nine minutes. But keep in mind that this unit is only +3.3 in net rating on the year.

JB/Deuce/Mikal/OG/KAT for 3 mins: The “People’s Choice 5-Out Unit” has just 41 minutes this season (+4.2 net rating), but I still think it has potential to devastate teams.

JB/Deuce/Mikal/Hart/Mitch for 3 mins: Bring in some rebounding to close the third.

Fourth Quarter

Cam/Deuce/Shamet/KAT/Mitch for 3 mins: Let the small shooters shoot with the Twin Towers on the glass. This is the only time we get no Wingstop—keep them fresh unless otherwise needed. Hart could replace Shamet here, though the spacing would suffer.

Deuce/Hart/Mikal/OG/KAT for 3 mins: The no-Brunson unit, and an opportunity to let the new-and-improved OG Anunoby cook. (+4.1 net rating in 185 mins this year).

JB/Hart/Mikal/OG/Mitch for 3 mins: Sit KAT down and let this unit show you what the final stretch needs. More guard spacing with Deuce McBride? Keep Mitch in to defend?

JB/Mikal/OG/KAT/Mitch for 3 mins: My closing lineup of choice. Sub KAT’s shooting in. Protect the rim with Mitch. Set screens for the mid-range assassins. Seal the deal.

Minute Totals: Brunson 36 / Hart 30 / Mikal 39 / OG 36 / KAT 36
Deuce 24 / Mitch 24 / Cam 9 / Shamet 6

Notes:

• On the flip-side of in-game adjustments, if the Knicks proactively commit to styles, rather than be reactive, they can make teams adjust to them instead.

• Here, the KAT/Mitch duo gets 12 minutes before the closing minutes. This is important both for the individual games and the team’s future. KAT and Rudy Gobert figured it out. If we view Mitch as a a cheaper Gobert-type, then their time together will be vital data for the front office this summer.

• I recognize that Josh Hart getting 30 minutes—after leading the league with 37.6—is unrealistic. I’m setting his floor. The games should dictate how much more he earns. Will he let teams expose his shooting?

• Mikal Bridges is the marathon runner here. 39 mins. Lace ‘em up, Mr. Six Picks.

• I wanted to find minutes for Precious Achiuwa. But I need consistency in the playoffs. Maybe he can get run at the 5 if KAT gets into (inevitable) foul trouble, but I’d rather have Mitch in when that happens.

• Delon Wright, Landry Shamet, and Cam Payne are pretty interchangeable.

Please Thibs DO NOT:

• Play Hart with any two of KAT, Precious, and Mitch. Stay away if possible.

• Give Cam Payne the benefit of the doubt, regardless of performance.

• Take a hot player out.

• Write Josh Hart’s 40+ minutes in pen. Pencil is fine, I suppose.

• Play guys an entire quarter too often, unless it’s urgent.

• Forget Delon Wright is 6’5 and a deflections master.

How’d I do? What do you like or dislike? What would you change? Leave a comment.

Go Knicks.