Trey Burke G League Player of the Week 2 Weeks in a Row
Dude's been killing it in the G League this year. I don't follow the NBA closely so not sure why he didn't pan out with the Jazz/Wizards, but he's always been one of my favorites and has incredible work ethic.
The Knicks have been looking so much better this year--I know lots of you hate them and other NY teams; I probably would too if I grew up in Michigan and went to U of M--but could really use some scoring and passing help with THJ out and not much talent at PG other than a 19 year old draft pick who still needs plenty of seasoning. Would love to see Trey keep up the inspired play and make his mark in the big leagues, at least as a solid backup PG.
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2017/12/19/16799466/wassup-in-westch…
December 20th, 2017 at 2:50 AM ^
December 20th, 2017 at 4:12 AM ^
the other night and saw that the G league was on one of the local sports stations here in LA because the Lakers affiliate was playing the Knicks affiliate. I was shocked to see a G league game televised so I had to check it out.
Had no idea Trey was on the Knicks team but he had 14 (!!) in the first quarter or some insane thing and it was like watching him at Michigan again. The centerpiece of the team, go-to alpha-dog, lots of confidence and swagger (and a lot more tatoos!). The pro-Lakers announcers couldn't stop talking about how they couldn't stop Burke.
I looked it up and he's the second leading scorer in the league. Too bad he couldn't pan out in the NBA. One of those guys that I think needs to be the top-dog, needs his team to depend on him and needs to have the confidence of his team to really shine. Hoping he can get back and make some noise in the NBA.
December 20th, 2017 at 12:00 PM ^
December 20th, 2017 at 6:31 AM ^
Derrick Walton, Jr. is currently playing for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the G League's affiliate of the Miami Heat
December 20th, 2017 at 8:16 AM ^
December 20th, 2017 at 7:12 AM ^
December 20th, 2017 at 8:27 AM ^
December 20th, 2017 at 10:08 AM ^
Such a clean block.
December 20th, 2017 at 11:47 AM ^
Screw the Cards!
December 21st, 2017 at 9:08 PM ^
you can still remember all the way back to 2013 ?
:-)
December 20th, 2017 at 8:05 AM ^
December 20th, 2017 at 8:17 AM ^
Burke's speed has been an issue with his playing time, it's hard to make up for a lack of size if you don't have speed. Also looks like his attitude has rubbed people the wrong way. His shooting seems to have been turned around, he averages 10 a game and shoots 39%. Burke to me seems like a less athletic version of Nate Robinson, and Robinson is now playing over-seas.
December 20th, 2017 at 8:44 AM ^
Robinson is also in his mid-30s now. Burke is still only 25.
December 20th, 2017 at 10:09 AM ^
don't do that. That was never the point of the comparison as it had nothing to do with age. I was strictly talking about Burke's ability to stay in the league and compared it to Robinson's. The last significant playing time (playing in over half the season's games) Robinson had is when he was 30 and playing for the Nuggets. Burke being 25 and seemingly not being wanted on ANY NBA roster, despite shooting 45% on FGs and 44% on 3s (both career highs in 57 games), obviously points to his attitude, lack of athleticism, or both. Plus he has 4 inches on Robinson. I'm just saying, if nobody wants you and JJ Barea (who is also 33) is still getting run with the Mavericks, you are on your way out of the NBA.
December 20th, 2017 at 12:00 PM ^
I don't get this comparison. Robinson was in the league for 11 years, played in over 600 games and was a productive back-up for most of them before losing his place in the league. He had a couple of seasons with win shares over 5 if you like advanced stats. His career similarity scores include guys like Craig Hodges, Gerald Henderson and Bimbo Coles. Stars? No, but productive NBA journeymen.
Meanwhile, Burke was in the league for 4 years, was productive for only 2 and his win shares never approached 3 let alone 5+. His career similarity score list includes Rumeal Robinson.
Burke's story isn't over and I am rooting for him to turn it around, but right now there is no comparison between he and Robinson other than they are both undersized PGs.
December 20th, 2017 at 1:10 PM ^
I didn't look at win shares or do anything advanced stats wise. I was literally comparing them at the most basic level, player to player, not how much of a contribution one made over the other. My point was that Robinson was able to stick around the NBA because he was more athletic. Roster spots remain open to players who are better athletes, period. I'm not rooting against Burke. I'm just making the point that IF Burke was more athletic, he would still be in the league. I do believe there is a comparison between Burke and Robinson, both are undersized PGs, one had enough speed and athleticism to stay in the league and the other one (at this point) does not.
December 20th, 2017 at 3:32 PM ^
because your athleticism is worthless unless it turns into offensive productivity (done efficiently) or defensive prowess. Because of his lack of elite athleticism and length, Trey's not a good defender. Plenty of guys have made that work with efficient productivity on the offensive end but Trey is a career 34% 3pt shooter with 45% eFG. That's not at all good enough to make up for defensive shortcomings.
Robinson was a bit more efficient and productive. Hence the abiliy to stick around as a backup for 10ish years.
I am a bit surprised Trey didn't get more looks after his encouraging year with the Wizards (shot 44% from 3), and it might have been an attitude/off-court thing.
December 20th, 2017 at 8:30 AM ^
December 20th, 2017 at 10:06 AM ^
Talk about striking when the iron was hot - Trey was never going to get any taller, faster or much stronger so he absolutely maximized his income potential by turning pro when he did. He will likely never see the NBA again for any significant time but his rookie contract as the 9th pick in the draft will ensure he's already made more money than most people do in their lifetime.
December 20th, 2017 at 10:18 AM ^
He also won NPOY and got to the championship game. He made the right decision, but I doubt he would have sweated it either way.
December 20th, 2017 at 12:14 PM ^
This is exactly right. He is set for life, if he invests reasonably wisely, and if he wasn't drafted No. 9 for whatever reason he'd be efffed. He was the college player of the year, his stock was not going higher.
December 20th, 2017 at 1:47 PM ^
+1.
I think it makes sense for any player that will get drafted to go to the draft. NBA teams factor in a player's future potential when making draft decisions, so even if you stay another year in college and become a better player, your draft stock might not actually improve. Plus you're likely to see greater improvement playing basketball full time and practicing against NBA talent than you will going to school and playing against college players.
Also, according to http://www.spotrac.com/nba/new-york-knicks/trey-burke-13322/cash-earnin…, Trey has made $11 million already in his career. Assuming he hasn't blown it all, he could easily retire right now and live comfortably for the rest of his life. Good for him.
December 20th, 2017 at 10:11 AM ^
Glad to see he's succeeding. It always felt like he might struggle a bit in the NBA, but maybe some time in G league can help him get some confidence and rhythm back and get another shot at the league.
December 20th, 2017 at 10:17 AM ^
I went to a G league game in Chicago vs the Raptors last week. It was attended like a bad high school game and the basketball was sloppy. Reminded me of single A baseball. Jerry Stackhouse is the Raptors coach and the team had Kennedy Meeks from NC but it felt like a pickup game with guys trying to get shots at the expense of others. NCAA is the NBA minors. If you fall to G league you are just hoping for 10 day contracts with injuries. That said, I think all NBA point guards need more time than any other position and Burke's Jazz situation was terrible.
December 20th, 2017 at 10:19 AM ^
December 20th, 2017 at 12:16 PM ^
I caught a bunch of his games from his first couple seasons in the League. It hurt him that he was not a true point gaurd, and lacked the athleticism of some at his position, but what killed him was shooting %, especially from 3.
December 20th, 2017 at 7:33 PM ^
Yahoo Sports sent a push notification to my phone that it was a close game when Kansas led by 15. I raised my eyebrow.
When Trey hit that shot, I muttered to myself "The machines know, man."