Penny being in the game in the 4th quarter was actually surpose to be for defensive reasons...he matched up with Cassell much better in the 1st half then Nate Robinson....but the Clippers never really look to feature Cassell in post up Isolations, so Iam not really for sure why Penny stayed on the floor. But Larry Brown's original thinking was Penny's size could make Cassell's post up and mid-range game not as big of a factor.
Also Penny was really the calming influnence that changed the game into the Knicks favor in the 2nd quarter last night the Clippers and the during the 2nd half of the Sonics..so Iam pretty sure that had something to do with Larry Browns' decision to use him in the 4th. And honestly, I dont think it was a bad one...I said at the start of the season that Penny is going to have to have an influnence on this team in order for the Knicks to be successful. And I still feel that way, I think he bring expereince and possible leadership factors that this team really lacks...noboy besides Coach Brown and Antonio Davis have been in more playoff battles, so the guy knows what it takes to be successful. The problem you had last night is that Penny had a 95' flashback, with the quick trigger on a couple of jumpers down the stretch that he would have burried a decade ago....
I think Penny has to know that his role is no longer a scorer in this league. And just embrass the leadership aspect that he can offer. And I think he will do that once he finds a consistent look in Coach Brown's rotation. I dont think Larry should pull him from the rotation, give him a chance to show is worth...that was just the third game he played in all year...but I think the Knicks will be a better team with him recieving some minutes....people quickly forget that he was the most consistent perimeter player for the Knicks in there last playoff series against New Jersey. And that wasnt even with him looking to be a scorer, it was just him bringing expereince to the table and doing some of the little things...I think he can still do those things.