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Report: Knicks' Acy the leading candidate to start at power forward

Brad Penner / USA Today Sports

He's averaging just six points and five rebounds through four preseason games, both marks that would represent in-season career highs, but Quincy Acy's impact off the box score has him in position to start for the New York Knicks.

In a somewhat strange turn, Acy finds himself as head coach Derek Fisher's leading candidate at the starting power forward position, according to a report from Marc Berman of the New York Post. According to Berman, Acy hasn't yet locked down the spot, but has impressed Fisher enough with his defense and hustle that he sees the bearded Baylor product as a good fit with the starters.

For his part, Acy, acquired in August in what was thought to be a shuffling of deck chairs for the Knicks and Sacramento Kings, is somewhat surprised, but excited, at the thought:

No, I didn't plan on coming here to start. I planned on coming here and playing hard to earn minutes. I guess I impressed enough with my defense to earn a spot. I don’t know what coach got going if I’m starting or coming off the bench or not playing, but I’ll be happy.

The Knicks will start Jose Calderon, Carmelo Anthony and Samuel Dalembert for sure, with Iman Shumpert the likely starter at the two. Acy is battling Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani for that final spot, but Stoudemire's workload needs to be managed and Bargnani has been slowed in camp by a groin issue.

In Acy, Fisher would have another capable high-post passer and someone willing to body up on defense without requiring touches on offense. Through two NBA seasons, Acy has used a minuscule 11.5 percent of his team's possessions while on the floor. The consummate hustle player, Acy seems a fun fit, at the very least.

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