Mike Brown’s recent choice for the Knicks lineup was a recognizable one

Knicks Revert to Last Year’s Starting Lineup

The Knicks are returning to the same starting five as last year.

With OG Anunoby back after missing nine games due to a hamstring issue, Coach Mike Brown faced a tough decision about whether to start Josh Hart or Miles McBride.

Hart kept his spot in the starting lineup during Friday’s decisive win against the Jazz, and Brown hinted that this arrangement could stick. Previously, Brown had expressed a preference for both players coming off the bench, planning to have Mitchell Robinson start at center. However, he now sees Robinson’s value more in a reserve role.

It’s also worth noting that Karl-Anthony Towns has been playing better at center—better than when he plays power forward, that is, so the switch made sense.

This change led to Hart logging more minutes, which he quickly adapted to, reflecting his past experiences with the team.

Interestingly, the flip between Hart and Robinson wasn’t purely Brown’s idea; it was a suggestion he considered after discussions with his staff.

“I rely on my staff,” Brown remarked. “I had my reasons for wanting to start differently, but everyone on my team convinced me this was the way to go. It’s good to listen to different perspectives; I don’t want to be stuck in my ways.” Brown acknowledged the importance of being open to others’ insights, even when he has the final say.

Hart, who struggled at the season’s start in a limited role, has stepped up significantly. Meanwhile, McBride, a strong 3-point shooter, had thrived as the Knicks’ defensive point guard during Anunoby’s absence.

Both players insisted McBride should remain in the starting group, leaving Brown to consider how to maximize McBride’s contributions now that he’s coming off the bench.

“That was the challenge because Deuce was playing well. We want him on the floor but not running excessive minutes,” Brown admitted. “He deserves to come in and play substantial time.” This has been a balancing act for him.

The combination of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Anunoby, Hart, and Towns was a favored lineup for Tom Thibodeau last season, only shifted when the Knicks fell behind in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In previous games when Robinson had to sit out for load management, Brown opted to keep Hart on the bench while adding McBride or Shamet to the starting group. But seeing how well Hart performed recently prompted a reconsideration. McBride is accustomed to coming off the bench, so the transition might not be too demanding.

“I try to keep things simple,” McBride stated. “I bring energy and toughness, but my main goal is to impact the game and contribute to winning.”

However, that starting unit last year didn’t excel, showing a negative net rating in both the regular season and playoffs—a fact that likely weighed on Brown’s mind as he navigated these changes.