Nets coach Avery Johnson tinkered with his starting lineup Sunday against the Bucks, inserting Reggie Evans into the lineup at power forward in place of Kris Humphries.
And Johnson said more changes could be in store for the Nets tonight when they entertain the crosstown rival Knicks at Barclays Center for the second time in a little more than two weeks.
“We’re still evaluating that,” Johnson said of his possible starting lineup. “We’re evaluating it. We’ve got a couple of things that we’re thinking about. We’ll make that decision [today] and we’ll let you know.”
With the potential for center Brook Lopez, who practiced fully for the first time since spraining his right foot against the Celtics on Nov. 28, returning against the Knicks tonight, Johnson has the potential to go in one of several different directions.
If Lopez does return, Johnson could opt to revert to his traditional starting five of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace, Humphries and Lopez, a group that has gone 6-1 in games they’ve started together this season. And, if Lopez doesn’t, the coach could either stick with the combination of Evans and Andray Blatche — who have been extremely effective together on the court this season — or could go back to Humphries at power forward.
Then, whether Lopez or Blatche is the starting center, there’s the possibility of switching to a smaller lineup, one where Gerald Wallace starts at power forward, a lineup the Nets have seen plenty of success with.
Playing smaller becomes a more legitimate option when you consider the Nets’ opponent tonight, as the Knicks spend much of the game with small lineups featuring Carmelo Anthony playing power forward.
“We knew that from last year, that one of our best lineups is with him at the four,” Williams said. “He poses a lot of matchup problems, and he can guard fours, so it’s not like it’s a mismatch for us.”
“He’s a great passer, a willing passer, and offense runs a little smoother with him at the four because we have another guy who can pass and find people.”
* Williams will receive the “Kia Community Assist Award” for November prior to tonight’s game against the Knicks. Williams earned the award for his outstanding efforts in the community, as well as his philanthropic and charity work.
Hall of Famer Bob Lanier will present Williams with a plaque before tonight’s game, and Kia and the NBA will donate $10,000 to Williams’ foundation, Point of Hope.