Big C) Other Knicks players will have a chance to step up their game with Iman Shumpert out for 2-4 weeks and Jared Jeffries out for 1 week. This could be a big break for the Knicks'  Mike Bibby.  Mike Bibby missed the first game of the season, when the Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics, and he's sure to be ready for the Knicks west coast trip. 
 
Bibby’s role with Shumpert being out is to set up his teammates. On offense Mike Bibby does not have the same ability to get to the basket as he did in his early years in the league. However, he is capable of scoring points from 3 point range and coming off a pick for the midrange shot. Having Mike Bibby in the lineup this would also allow Carmelo Anthony to take a break from bringing  up the ball.  Anthony will be able to focus more on what he does best... scoring. Bibby is also one of the best players in the league at running the pick and roll. So Amar’e and Chandler stand to benefit from having Bibby in the lineup if he is focused.
 
 
Speaking of opportunities, the Knicks new sharp shooter Steve Novak also has a chance to show his value over the next couple of weeks. Steve Novak was signed by the Knicks to do two things.
 
- Spread the court
- Hit the open shot to minimize the doubleteam on Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire
 
If you haven't already noticed, players who can hit the 3 are players who will get minutes in the Mike D’Antoni’s system.   Novak is considered to be one of the NBA's best 3 point shooters and he will be given opportunities to shoot the 3 point shot.  
 
Renaldo Balkman  is another player that could get more minutes with Jared Jeffries being sidelined. So far Balkman has played good defense in the halfcourt. Renaldo Balkman is not known for his offense but in the Knicks preseason games he showed he is capable of scoring. More importantly Balkman showed that he thrives best when he is on the court with Carmelo Anthony. Balkman knows when to cut to the hole and when to set a pick when he plays with Melo.
 
Overall, Balkman, Novak, and Mike Bibby will have their chance to show what they have. Let’s see how they make use of that extra time on the court.  

Also check my blog on my thoughts on the Knicks defense

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