Sam Mitchell gets real about the Knicks rotation after the ugly loss to the Thunder

The New York The Knicks are coming off an embarrassing home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in which they are completely humiliated. Amidst the losing streak, the Knicks have been making comments from the outside regarding their rotation this season. The latest to question the Knicks’ rotation is former NBA player-turned-analyst Sam Mitchell, who gave his thoughts during a segment on NBA TV.

“At some point, the Knicks had to figure out their bench,” Sam Mitchell said. “They have to start figuring out who on that bench has some kind of role.” Whether it’s defensively, offensively or whatever, it can take a hit because you can’t play five guys for 40 minutes a game.”

Ever since Tom Thibodeau has been a head coach in the NBA, one of the criticisms that fans and the media seem to have leveled at him is his ability to play his starting major minutes.

Is the Knicks rotation a problem?

However, if we look at the Knicks rotation, they have five players who average between 34-39 minutes per game. Mikal Bridges leads the Knicks with 38.9 minutes per game. Josh Hart is behind him at 37.6 minutes, OG Anunoby is at 36.5 minutes, Jalen Brunson is at exactly 35 minutes and Karl-Anthony Towns is at 34.4 minutes.

These five were regular starters for the Knicks this season. After that, they have five other players averaging double-digit minutes per game. Myles McBride is their top reserve at 24.4 minutes, Preschas Achiuva is next at 18.1, followed by Cameron Payne at 15.3, Landry Shamet at 12.8 since returning to the team and Jericho Sims at 11.8.

Watching the Knicks’ loss to the Thunder, only Anunoby played more than 33 minutes. Keeping the team fresh with a balanced bench is obviously the key to success in the NBA. But Thibodeau played his starting heavy minutes mostly out of necessity.

The Knicks second unit has dealt with multiple injuries this season. Myles McBride has been sidelined with a hamstring injury before returning against the Thunder. Landry Shamet recently re-signed after rehabbing from injury. The Knicks have been without Mitchell Robinson all season. Players who were consistently getting minutes off the bench were not able to consistently produce.

David Iapkowitz is a basketball reporter for ClutchPoints, covering men’s and women’s NBA, WNBA and NCAA basketball news. The Los Angeles native has op-eds with Basketball Insiders, SB Nation and The Next Hoops.