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New York Knicks: Allonzo Trier confidently breaks through

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 29: Allonzo Trier #14 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on October 29, 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 29: Allonzo Trier #14 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on October 29, 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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The New York Knicks have their leader of the second unit, and it’s not Enes Kanter.

The odds were against Allonzo Trier as an undrafted free agent. It took one team, the New York Knicks, to give him a chance, but who predicted him exceeding a two-way contract through the first month this team has been together?

Early success poured into the regular season, when Trier compiled two 15-point games in his first three games. He settled down for a week afterwards, but since New York’s win against the Brooklyn Nets, the 22-year-old has settled into a groove.

In this latest three-game stretch, Trier has 16.3 points and 3.3 rebounds on 79,2 percent shooting and 50 percent from behind the arc. It’s not in limited time, either, or on few shots, with his 23.9 minutes and eight attempts per contest.

Friday’s victory over the Dallas Mavericks was the pinnacle of not just this, but the first three weeks of the season. The Arizona product shined in the second half and finished with a career-high 23 points (14 in the fourth quarter), 8-for-10 shooting and even 6-of-7 on free throws; he’s second on the Knicks in makes from the charity stripe per game at 2.6.

Confidence is a key to Trier’s game. It’s apparent when he dominates the ball, shakes a defender and hits shots on isolation plays. That resembles a veteran, not someone who has just nine NBA showings under his belt.

He receives it from head coach David Fizdale, who, according to Steve Popper of Newsday, said “Anything you want” in regard to working the Mavs:

After the game, the first-year helmer acknowledged that Trier will be in late-game situations. “He’s just not afraid,” said Fizdale, per MSG Networks.

This might lead to a starting role for most players, but, with the play of the incumbent unit, there’s no room for Trier, for now. Frankly, that’s fine, as he leads an offensive-minded bench unit of Enes Kanter, Mario Hezonja, and Kevin Knox when he returns Monday.

This wasn’t the only youthful impact for New York, as Mitchell Robinson broke out for 13 points and 10 rebounds — his first double-double. Along with this nonchalant dunk that captivated Knicks fans:

Next. Who stepped up in win vs. Mavs?. dark

The future is now for the Knicks, who also had another double-digit scoring night from Damyean Dotson; Frank Ntilikina continues to make offensive strides; once Knox comes back, it’s a full-on exciting group of under-25 players. Even if 2018-19 doesn’t result in the postseason, it’s an intriguing outlook for the next few years.

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