SITTIN' PRETTY
Mudiay revived after getting pulled from starting lineup
Leave it to MSG Network’s Walt Frazier to paint it most properly.
“Every time I give up on Mudiay,’’ Frazier said in Philadelphia on Wednesday, “he comes up with a good game.’’
It’s actually two good games, as Emmanuel Mudiay is suddenly thriving in his demoted role off the bench after crashing and burning as a starter for 14 straight contests.
On Sunday, coach Jeff Hornacek pulled the plug on Mudiay in Washington, opting for Trey Burke, and it has revived the 22year-old point-guard enigma.
“Just staying the course,’’ Mudiay said after scoring 22 points in 24 minutes Wednesday in a 118-101 loss to the 76ers. “I feel I was playing downhill basketball. When I do that, I’m at my best.’’
In Sunday’s win at Washington, Mudiay scored 11 points with seven assists and zero turnovers in a smooth-as-silk outing off the bench. He sat out in Monday’s 137-128 overtime loss at Charlotte with a lingering sinus infection before returning in Philly to become an attacking force who spearheaded a Knicks’ second-quarter comeback. He was a minus-1 in the loss.
All the while Mudiay is still laboring with an illness, meaning there’s hope the Feb. 8 trade with the Nuggets will amount to something.
“I don’t want to say surprised,’’ Mudiay said. “You can hear I’m struggling a little bit [with sickness]. Just trying to help teammates as much as possible. I‘m just trying to go out there and be aggressive, let my lungs open up, fighting this [infection].”
Hornacek indicated he will stick with Mudiay coming off the bench for the final six games. In this setup, rookie Frank Ntilikina, who disappeared offensively in Philly (1-of-6, three points), will stay mostly off the ball as shooting guard.
That’s the dilemma of Hornacek having to audition three 25-and-under lottery picks so team president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry can make decisions on next season. The Knicks could one day regret not giving Ntilikina — even after the Mudiay trade — a chance at major minutes on the G-League team at point guard to get more polish.
One NBA scout who does work in Europe told The Post this week: “[Ntilikina] is a point guard. That’s what he is. He’s not a shooting guard because he’s not a scorer. What he is, is a team player, and maybe he’s not an All-Star, but he’ll be a damn good point guard in this league.’’
Taking the optimistic view on Mudiay, he’s been here just seven weeks and, in another era, still would be a college senior.
“It’s my first time being traded,’’ Mudiay said. “It’s the hardest adjustment as a player especially when you don’t know the system. On top of that you have to get used to the new teammates I have. It’s definitely a different adjustment, getting a full year and full training camp can help definitely.
“It’s moreso being patient. I probably thought it was going to happen a lot faster.”
Adjusting from Nuggets coach Mike Malone’s coaching style to Hornacek’s is also at play.
“They got different styles but as people they are both great people,’’ Mudiay said. “Obviously the offense is different and we all play different styles. It’s been good, but I’m trying to get used to it.’’
Meanwhile, Burke, who posted an Allen Iverson-like 42-point game in Charlotte, feels he’s earned the chance to finish out as the starter, though he was disappointed with his floor leadership against the Sixers (three turnovers, minus-18).
“Something I’m not focused on, but I expect to finish the season as a starter if that’s what you’re asking me,’’ Burke said. “I’m evaluating the way I’m running the team, the way I’m getting guys involved. The way the machine is running when I’m out there. I got to continue to get these guys on board and play 48 minutes.’’