NY Knicks: 3 players who must step up to make noise in the playoffs
By Adam Kester
NY Knicks: A hot Alec Burks is a lethal weapon
The Knicks have had a few under-the-radar signings work out well for them this season, one of which has been 29-year old shooter Alec Burks. Slowly becoming a fan favorite for his silky-smooth shooting and knack for big shots, Burks has been a terrific spark-plug off the bench for New York.
Burks signed a 1-year contract with the Knicks and didn’t come into the season with high expectations. Burks had posted respectable numbers in the last few years with The Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers, but his efficiency numbers are up to a new level with New York. On the season, Burks is shooting 41.4% from the field, 40.8% from 3, and 86.5% from the free-throw line.
We’ve seen Burks be able to step up and at times and become the Knicks’ 2nd option behind Randle. He’s an underrated ball-handler as in one of the few Knicks who has no problem shooting off the dribble. For as solid as he’s been, Burks has also had cold stretches that can last up to 2 weeks. The Knicks need Burks to be locked in and consistent in the playoffs.
It seems like every time Burks has a good game, the team does as well. Burks’s last game against the Pelicans, he poured in 21 points and was a +24 on the court. When he scored 19 points against The Grizzlies, he was a +16. The Knicks won both of those games.
The Knicks can’t afford to have low-scoring performances from Alec Burks in the playoffs. They’ll need him to pick up the scoring slack at some pivotal points in the game, and he could be an X-factor for New York.