Paul Pierce Suggests Lineup Change for Spurs Against Knicks

Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Pierce believes the San Antonio Spurs would improve their chances in the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks with a key lineup adjustment. On the podcast “Ticket & the Truth,” Pierce discussed the matchup with former teammate Kevin Garnett after San Antonio secured their first win of the series.

Pierce advocated for including Dylan Harper in the starting lineup. He stated, “If I’m San Antonio, I’m bringing Fox off the bench. I’ve had enough. Dylan Harper is playing too good.” However, he noted the challenge in this approach as Harper excels off the bench. Pierce emphasized De’Aaron Fox’s inconsistent shooting was affecting the Spurs negatively, saying, “He gotta make shots. I look at Fox as a scorer, bro. He is not hitting shots.” Fox has been gaining good opportunities but failing to convert.

While Garnett credited the Knicks’ defense for limiting Fox, Pierce disagreed. He argued the Spurs might dominate the series if Fox transitioned to a bench role. Despite Fox’s strong showing in Game 2 with 66.7% shooting and 20 points, his performances in other games were lackluster. Game 1 saw a 23.1% shooting rate and Game 3 dipped to 28.6%, both significantly impacting the team’s outcomes.

Fox’s role as a veteran is crucial for the Spurs. His presence is challenging to replace, as evidenced when Harper stepped up during Fox’s injury in prior playoffs. Harper performed well in starting positions, showcasing his potential. Mitch Johnson’s preference for Fox possibly stems from the balance of experience and skill.

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