In his second start with the Knicks on Monday night, Trey Burke did something no Knicks point guard has done in nearly 13 years. The former lottery pick posted 42 points and 12 assists, the first Knick to post at least 40 points and 10 assists in one game since Stephon Marbury on March 29, 2005.
Burke has played well for New York since he was plucked from the G League, averaging 11.1 PPG and 3.7 APG. The 25-year-old, whose deal with the Knicks includes a non-guaranteed salary for 2018/19, feels he has been provided with an opportunity to showcase his ability this year in a way that has not been available since his rookie campaign, Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News.
“I think this is the first time since my rookie season where I’m in a situation where I can play extended minutes, I can play through mistakes,” Burke said. “I don’t make one or two mistakes and I’m snatched out of the game.”
Marc Berman of the New York Post relays that Burke, who changed his hairstyle to braids, resembles his hero, Allen Iverson, both aesthetically and on the court. Burke admits he patterns himself after the Hall-of-Famer but knows he has more work to do.
“I got a long way to go,” Burke said. “I know that. AI is a goal. Pound for pound, one of the greatest to ever play. I want to get there one day. I believe it.”
Check out more Knicks notes below:
- Knicks center Kyle O’Quinn was caught on camera yelling at head coach Jeff Hornacek during the team’s matchup against the Wolves last Friday. Hornacek has downplayed the incident and O’Quinn said he overreacted, per ESPN. “I’d be the first one to say that my wrong reaction was the wrong one,” O’Quinn said. “I shouldn’t have come back. Just because somebody is yelling at me, I shouldn’t yell back. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
- With a player option decision and possible foray into free agency looming, Knicks center Enes Kanter will hire new representation, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. The agent in question, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, is highly regarded and Kanter said he wants to make more money off the court, which has been an issue due to his highly publicized international conflict with his native Turkey.
- As we relayed last week, Knicks point guard Ron Baker is out of his sling and is progressing with his rehab.
Knicks better get that checkbook ready.
It’s going to be interesting to see how the Knicks draft. Chances are they’ll have a talented PG or SF available when they’re up. Logic would say SF so Hardaway can go back to his normal position of SG. I doubt Carter will make it down to 9 if that’s where the Knicks end up in the draft. My heart says Young or Sexton, but either of the Bridges or Knox would be the logical choice based on the roster. Burke’s play may influence that decision between now and the end of the season.
Nox for Nix!
I don’t see drafting a PG, I think the Knicks will be content to go into next season with Trey and Frank carrying a majority of the load. SF seems to be the only logical choice, separate of just adding the most talented player should the guys they want not be available at 9. Wouldn’t mind seeing Bridges from Nova in a Knicks uniform.
That’s whom I think they target, but if he’s gone then it gets interesting.
Drop 42 in a game and you’re the next Iverson apparently. So disrespectful to compare a G-League player who just got his 2nd start for the Knicks (in his 5th NBA season!!!) to a Hall of Famer who single handedly carried a team to the NBA Finals and got a victory against the greatest team of this millennium in that Finals by himself. I hope Trey Burke has a great career but I don’t wanna hear any Iverson comparisons until this guy retires. It won’t be a valid comparison then just as it isn’t now.
Trey Burke said his goal is to be AI like, he wants his career to be that of AI. He also said he has a long way to go. But that’s what he is working towards.
No doubt but there was a play last night where he crosses over into a jumper and people were talking about how he looked like Allen Iverson which he didn’t.
It was mostly a hairstyle thing I think. But his game could be similar in style without being as good, and still qualify as ‘resembling’. Although I’m not sure he plays as low as Iverson.
I definitely get that he’s got the braids like Iverson, but they were specifically talking about the crossover. I mean, you could resemble AI all you want but it’s disrespectful to compare a player who just now is getting PT to Allen Iverson.