Mike Woodson Unsure of the Knicks’ Starting Lineup

New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson knows he has his work cut out for him in the Eastern Conference. Heading into next season, Woodson says he has yet to figure out his starting lineup. Per Newsday: “All the talk this offseason has been about the Nets’ starting five with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett being traded from Boston and joining Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson and Deron Williams under new coach Jason Kidd. But Knicks coach Mike Woodson isn’t sure what his starting five will look like heading into the season. Woodson was asked about his lineup during an appearance at the Garden of Dreams Foundation’s fifth annual Dream Week at the Knicks’ training facility yesterday and only would guarantee spots to three players: Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton. ‘That’s what we use camp for. I have no idea who’s going to start,’ Woodson said. ‘Camp should be pretty competitive based on the talent, and that’s how it should be.’ Noticeably absent from that list of starters was Iman Shumpert, who started all 45 games he played in last season after returning midway through the season from an ACL injury suffered in the 2012 playoffs. Shumpert also started all 12 of the Knicks’ playoff games last season. ‘You’ve got to go in and earn a spot,’ Woodson said when asked about Shumpert’s status as a starter. ‘That’s how I look at it.’ Woodson, however, did praise Shumpert’s progression, saying his jump shot has ‘definitely improved’ and with more time he will get even better. Woodson also said he wasn’t sure how he would use Anthony, who played most of last season at power forward and won the league scoring title with an average of 28.7 points per game. With Amar’e Stoudemire and newly acquired forward Andrea Bargnani in the mix for playing time, Woodson could move Anthony back to his original position at small forward, though he wouldn’t say what his plan is just yet.”