Alan Hahn's post on New York Knicks | Latest updates on Sulia

Jason Kidd, facing criticism about his starting role, bristled at talk of another slow start for #Knicks. More:

"I disagree with the slow start," he said of a first quarter in Toronto that saw the Knicks score 32 points, but also give up 32. "You guys [media] are saying that's a slow start," he said, "I don't know what else you want us to do in the beginning of the game." Perhaps not give up 30+ points in the first quarter? In two games since the All-Star break, the Knicks have allowed 31 points per game in the first quarter. This wasn't an issue going into the break, as the Knicks held teams to 19.6 points per game in the first quarter over the last three games before the break. But Kidd's presence in the starting lineup is being widely questioned now because teams are looking to exploit him in mismatches on defense. He was also not providing much on offense recently, with 15% shooting from three-point range over his last 10 games. But in Toronto, he connected on 2 of 4 from downtown. His stat-line was filled more than we've seen lately: 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and even a blocked shot in 27 minutes. Mike Woodson has been reluctant to remove Kidd from the starting lineup despite the 39-year-old's recent struggles. Woodson views Kidd as a valuable piece come playoff time and is banking on him coming up big when it matters most, as he has throughout his Hall of Fame career.