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Diamond in the Rough

Coach Brown has finally settled on a starting lineup consisting of Eddy Curry, Antonio Davis, Stephon Marbury, Nate Robinson and David Lee. Both Channing Frye and Nate Robinson have been superb thus far this season. Despite showing promise early in the season, Lee hasn?t been getting regular playing time. Ever since being inserted into the starting lineup, the guy is making Isiah Thomas look like a genius for snatching him with the last pick of the first round.

Last night was the second game in a row where Brown started the same five players, including David Lee. It seems like Brown may have also found the perfect balance between the veterans and the younger players. Starting the rookies brings energy to the game, and having Antonio Davis in the first minutes bring stability, strength and experience to the team, that has a tendency to fall behind in the first quarter.

Unfortunately, Davis hurt his back last night, when he tried to grab an offensive rebound. He did not return to the game. But Brown kept his word, and played the other four starters during all the three overtimes, adding Jamal Crawford to the mix instead of Davis.