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New York Knicks: Point guard power rankings amid depth chart changes

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 05: Emmanuel Mudiay #1 of the New York Knicks reacts after missing a shot in the first overtime period against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on November5, 2018 in New York City. 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 (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 05: Emmanuel Mudiay #1 of the New York Knicks reacts after missing a shot in the first overtime period against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on November5, 2018 in New York City. 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 (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks Trey Burke (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

After three weeks, where do the New York Knicks point guards stand in their own power rankings?

The New York Knicks entered training camp with a point guard dilemma: three players, one starting spot. A fourth even briefly joined the mix in the preseason to make matters interesting in head coach David Fizdale’s first go-around.

Trey Burke was named the starter on opening night, while Frank Ntilikina moved to small forward, and Emmanuel Mudiay opened 2018-19 injured. Since then, everything has changed.

There’s a new starter and maybe a race to stick as the backup. Just 11 games in, though, it’s possible this changes. Ron Baker is also out of the

So, after three weeks, how does the second edition of the Knicks point guard power rankings look?

. . Previous: . Trey Burke. 3. team. 27

Slash Line: .406/.345/.692
Season Averages: 9.5 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.5 SPG, 20.1 MPG

As noted, Burke opened 2018-19 as the starter and held it for five games — four short of his total for all of 2017-18. It stalled after the Miami Heat game, when Fizdale inserted Ntilikina as the point guard and shifted the Michigan product to the bench.

In that stretch, Burke struggled from the field, unlike his 50 percent clip from last season. He shot 38.7 percent and 31.3 from three-point range for 11.2 points and 5.0 assists. Defensive struggles, at just 6-foot-1, forced him out, too.

Burke stuck as the backup for a few games until Mudiay returned from injury, risking the former’s consistent playing time. 12 points against the Golden State Warriors stood out, followed by three consecutive single-digit scoring totals.

This seemed near when Fizdale played the 25-year-old in just six minutes against the Dallas Mavericks. The following three games all crossed the 20-minute mark, but Wednesday’s game saw him never leave the bench.

Obviously, as Mudiay thrives it’s at Burke’s expense. He already fell behind Ntilikina and seemed to receive another demotion. With an impending contract situation ahead in January, it’s not a positive sign for his short-term outlook.

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