Landry Fields To Continue Starting

While his debut wasn’t overly impressive statistic wise but shooting guard Landry Fields did enough to continue starting for the New York Knicks. In fact, Fields did enough for head coach Mike D’Antoni to say that Fields could keep the job ALL season.

“All year,” D’Antoni said when asked how long this could last. “I’d be surprised if he can’t do it.”

I did watch the season opener verse the Toronto Raptors, so I have to say I was impressed by Fields. He didn’t put up spectacular numbers, 11 points, 4 rebounds and a block but he did do many of the little things. While his point total was low, he was money when he did shoot especially from behind the arc. Fields shot 50% from 3-point distance, 3 for 6, which helped opened up things for Raymond Felton and Amare Stoudemire to create their havoc.

What I enjoyed more then anything thou was watching this kid hustle and play defense. Yes, I said defense, some Knicks players do play that. Even better was watching his composure, for a 22-year old rookie he didn’t get overwhelmed. No matter what was going on around him, he played within himself and didn’t let the game get away from. In 30 minutes of play, he only committed one foul and had zero turnovers.

“The best part of his game is all the little stuff,” D’Antoni said. “He’ll do what the game plan is. It’s the consistency of all the details of the game that makes him unique. Normally you look at inconsistency as a rookie but I don’t see that. He didn’t look nervous whatsoever.” (courtesy of New York Post)

If this type of play continues from Fields then I’ll see the wisdom in D’Antoni’s decision to start him over Wilson Chandler. The Knicks are a team that are going to play wide open which is going to leave them open to counter attacks from their opponents. A player like Fields is going to let the key guys like Felton and Amare do what they do, his hustle and defensive play will let them do what they do.

Chandler is definitely starting caliber but his new role as sixth man could suit him best, his size can create matchup problems at the guard and forward positions. He’s too big for the average guard to handle and too quick for most forwards. Like we saw against the Raptors, 22 points and 8 rebounds, he can definitely use those advantages to his benefit.

For now this lineup should definitely make things interesting to watch but personally, I believe Chandler will reclaim his starting job. In 2009, Chandler proved he could handle the role averaging about 15 points and 5 rebounds a game but this year he looks like a different player. In the preseason and opener, he seems much more assertive and like he’s ready to take his game to the next level.

And that’s the reason I believe he’ll eventually be back in that role but for now I’ll enjoy watching Fields.

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Tags: Landry Fields, NBA, New York Knicks, Wilson Chandler