\u201cWe\u2019ve used it a couple times this year and it was OK,” Hornacek said. \u201cWe haven\u2019t done a ton of minutes that way. We have capable centers in Jo and (Willy Hernangomez) and Kyle (O\u2019Quinn). So I don\u2019t know how much we\u2019ll use it. But I think we just saw at halftime that things were slow and it was an ugly game at that point. And then I said let\u2019s go with KP at the five to start the second half.\u201d<\/p>\n
They never went back to Noah in the game and it worked this time. Will it work all the time? Probably not, depending on matchups and what they can get out of the smaller player they insert in the lineup. Monday it was Justin Holiday and he responded with his best game as a Knick, scoring 16 points. But there is no star to put in there, no one who has accomplished the sort of things that Noah has in his career.<\/p>\n
But the point is that it is trying to find what works best for Porzingis and the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard to say right now,\u201d Porzingis said after Monday\u2019s win. \u201cI really focus on what I can do better as a (power forward). And then as a five obviously I feel more comfortable because (centers) give you more space. Honestly, I don\u2019t know. I\u2019ll keep playing the four if they play me at the four. And if at the five I\u2019ll try to be as productive as I can at the five.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many scouts believe that center is the natural position for Porzingis, one where his unique skillset would be best utilized. For now though, with Noah healthy and just starting out this contract, it\u2019s not likely to change.<\/p>\n
\u201cCoach made the decision and it worked,\u201d Noah said. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to win in this league and it\u2019s a team game. I\u2019m happy we got the W.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Jo is a real team player,\u201d Porzingis said. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t really care if he\u2019s on the floor or not. He will try to help the team any way he can and if he believes that, and sees that, it\u2019s better to play that way, that he\u2019s on the bench for a little bit and then I\u2019m playing at the five, whoever is at the five, then we will go with that. Jo has no problem with that. That\u2019s what we love about him. He\u2019s huge on the defensive end for us. I mean, of course he\u2019ll be on the floor in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n