New York Knicks

Derek Fisher: Shorter rotation helps players get in 'better rhythm'

Published Jan. 7, 2016 6:17 p.m. ET

foxsports

At the beginning of the year, Derek Fisher was going with a seemingly endless rotation, playing 12 or even 13 guys in a single game. We saw too much of the end of the bench, and not enough minutes from the quality guys.

Now, though, it seems Fisher has adjusted. Lately, the Knicks coach has been going with a more routine nine-man rotation, and it's started to pay off, especially with the way he's been handling the big men.

From Newsday's Al Iannazzone:

Derek Fisher has shortened his rotation lately to nine players after going 12 deep earlier this season. He believes a shorter rotation lets players to get in “better rhythm.”

The biggest change has been using Porzingis at center with the second unit. Fisher ended up playing 10 in the first quarter. Kyle O’Quinn entered after Porzingis, playing with the four subs, picked up his second foul.

Fisher has been using Kristaps Porzingis as the first sub out of the game of late. With that, KP is getting to man more minutes at center, some with the second unit. Rare for someone only 20 years old, Porzingis gets help defense well enough to play at both big man spots sufficiently on both sides of the floor. Between the way he and Lopez has been performing on the defensive end, especially of late, don't be surprised if the Knicks keep this up.