TORONTO — Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Friday it was time to establish a set starting lineup and rotation as the playoffs inch closer with 15 games left after last night’s win over the Raptors.
Woodson said he cannot expect any of his injured big men other than Tyson Chandler to definitely return from injury, so he wants to establish a playing order without those guys in mind. Ama’re Stoudemire, Rasheed Wallace and Kurt Thomas may or may not make it back for the playoffs.
With Chandler back home in New York getting treatment for the bulging disk in his spine, Woodson trotted out his new favorite five: Raymond Felton-Pablo Prigioni-Iman Shumpert in a three-guard alignment with Carmelo Anthony and Kenyon Martin up front.
It is the 19th different starting lineup this season and Woodson has to figure out how to play it when Chandler returns, perhaps next week.
“It’s about what we do now because we got to start building to stay at the top and then start thinking about rotations,,’’ Woodson said before the Knicks’ 99-94 victory over the Raptors. “That will change when we get Tyson back, and if we get a few other guys back down the road, if that may be the case. But I got to start thinking about a solid rotation, who is going to play and get comfortable in that regard.“I know Tyson is going to make it back for sure, and we just have to play the other guys by ear. We got to make sure the rotation is tight around Tyson, Melo and the starting unit that we probably go into the playoffs with. Hopefully nobody else gets hurt. And then the supporting cast got to feel good about what they do.’’
Woodson also said signing a D-League big man remains an option down the road if progress for Stoudemire (right knee debridement surgery), Wallace (foot surgery) and Thomas (stress fracture in right foot) doesn’t occur.
“We’re constantly looking at the D-League all the time,’’ Woodson said. “We have to gauge where we are and see what happens with these guys. We still got time. That deadline is still down the road. We go to map out our guys and see where they are going to be physically in the next couple of weeks and then may make a decision.’’
* Jason Kidd turns 40 today and was asked if he will fulfill the three-year contract the Knicks bestowed on him last summer. Kidd would be 42 when it ends. He said he can’t make the call yet.
The Knicks always knew they probably would have Kidd just two seasons.
“I will revisit it,’’ Kidd said. “I have to be realistic, the body and mind can’t compete at the same time. I have to decide. But I feel great.’’