New York Knicks: Player power rankings after blowout loss to Magic
. Previous: . Allonzo Trier. 3. team. 27.
Slash Line: .482/.391/.880
Week 4 Averages: 10.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 0.3 3PM, 25.4 MPG
Season Averages: 11.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 0.6 3PM, 23.9 MPG
Allonzo Trier’s Week 4 wasn’t as flashy as Week 3 when he stood out with multiple 20-point efforts, but the final results were solid through three games to near his season averages.
Against the Hawks, Trier had 16 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 36 minutes, one game after Fizdale provided the undrafted rookie his first career start. So there’s confidence in what he brings to this young team, as one of the few players that creates their own shot.
Trier cooled down in the latter two games of Week 4, with single-digit performances and just five shots made — all of which were from inside the arc — as part of blowout losses.
The positive: Trier continues to reach the free throw line. He goes there 3.6 times per game — second to Tim Hardaway Jr.’s 5.9. It’s due to drives through the lane that creates contact and contributes to the New York Knicks’ 23.6 free throw attempts per game, which is 15th in the NBA.
Fizdale has Trier on the bench, but will he eventually start next to Hardaway? Lineup changes may be on the way, which New York’s head coach said he always considers.
“I’m always considering it anyway,” said Fizdale. “There wasn’t anything necessarily tonight. I need to keep an open mind and be fair. They always need to stay ready and they understand that. A starting lineup is never set in stone anyway.”
Will Trier become a beneficiary of Fizdale’s noncommital take on the starting lineup? If so, how soon? There are three games for this to potentially transpire in Week 5.