As the Knicks get closer and closer to regular season Mike D’Antoni will have the tough task of choosing who will get playing time and who will be left out of the rotation.

One concern will have to be spreading out playing time in the backcourt. Mike D’Antoni normally has a tight rotation.

So right now it is about who can provide the best production as well as who fits in well with the second unit. The starting backcourt is already set with Raymond Felton and Wilson Chandler. Now here comes the backcourt off the bench. Mike D’Antoni will have to choose between second year player Toney Douglas, Roger Mason, Bill Walker, and Kelenna Azubuike.

Toney Douglas

With Raymond Felton taking the bulk of the minutes playing point Toney Douglas will get whatever minutes are remaining. With Douglas playing pickup games and working out every day he will get the first look in the backcourt.

Douglas does not just want to be a good player on the Knicks but he wants to prove he can be a starter in the NBA. It will be hard for Mike D’Antoni to keep Douglas glued to the bench. Douglas' ability to score quick buckets and his defensive presence will be the key for the second unit.

Bill Walker

Even though I feel Walker is best suited for playing the shooting guard position, Mike D’Antoni might have Walker play the small forward position coming off the bench with the second unit.

Walker did show signs last season that he can be a solid contributor last year, coming off the bench. However, this season is a new ball game. Walker’s best chance in a tight rotation will be for him to get minutes at the small forward position.

Roger Mason Jr.

Roger Mason will have an opportunity to play the shooting guard off the bench. This could be huge step for Mason who could not crack the Spurs rotation last season. However, if Mason is not able to show an impact he will quickly get replaced in by Keleena Azubuike, if he's healthy.

Mike D'Antoni will be looking for a veteran off the bench to bring the outside touch. For now it is Mason, unless he stumbles or Azubuike makes a full recovery.

Kelenna Azbuike

Kelenna Azbuike is without a doubt one of the best players in the second unit. His ability to score, shoot, and run the break is ideal for the Knicks. However, he has yet to start working out taking full contact. Besides that, he will not participate in the Knicks training camp and he may also miss preseason.

This is no way to break into Mike D’Antoni’s rotation. As of right now Azbuike is a big question mark on how good he will be after having major surgery. The good news for Kelenna is if Roger Mason shows any signs of not being able to handle the backup shooting guard position, Azbuike will have a chance to seize the opportunity.