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New York Knicks: Takeaways from the preseason finale

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 12: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on October 12, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 12: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on October 12, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 12: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on October 12, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 12: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on October 12, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Point guard is probably Trey Burke’s (for now)

Fizdale told ESPN’s Ian Begley, the Knicks won’t determine the starting point guard until they complete analysis. That includes breaking down “tape, analytics and lineup numbers,” before a decision arrives for the Oct. 17 opener against the Atlanta Hawks.

However, the events of Friday’s game at least pointed towards Trey Burke as the initial winner at point guard, mostly over Emmanuel Mudiay, while Frank Ntilikina works off the ball.

Burke started the first two preseason games and remained a steady part of the rotation in the other three. Despite not starting the finale, he still mustered 21 minutes—two more than the starter, Ron Baker—and opened the second half as the point guard.

This resulted in nine points and three assists on 3-for-7 shooting for the Michigan product. Not standout numbers, but enough to remain in the picture. That’s unlike Mudiay, who played just eight minutes and seems on the outside looking in.

Why not Ntilikina? Fizdale experimented with the Frenchman against bigger opponents, defensively, but he still managed nine points, five assists and four rebounds on 3-for-6 shooting.

Ntilikina needs a fellow ball handler in the backcourt to succeed, for now, rather than acting as the primary. That potentially places him on the bench to work with Burke and become the backup in other situations.

Eventually, the job could become Ntilikina’s if he shows enough as a distributor. For now, given previous experience and good-enough play, it’s Burke’s until further notice, barring a surprise decision.

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