Emmanuel Mudiay's newfound success as the New York Knicks point guard has been more than just a welcome surprise, but one that has been the direct byproduct of making the most of his opportunity. Mudiay has put up two 30-point games in his last three games, equaling the total of 30-point outings he had during his last three seasons as a pro. Head coach David Fizdale warned this is no fluke:
“Now how far it goes from there, it's going to be what he does. But you get in a third of the season and a guy is consistently putting in 20, 30, 20, 30, six rebounds, six assists constantly doing that (it's not a fluke),” said Fizdale, according to Ian Begley of ESPN. “I think the first thing he had to prove to himself and to everyone was is he a legitimate NBA basketball player and I think that's proven right now so now the next step is can we get him to really grow and develop and show the consistency of what a lead guard can do? But he's really, he's taken off and really gotten better every day.”
Mudiay is averaging 20.0 points, 5.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds in his last nine games — a tall climb from his career averages of 11.2 points, 4.2 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game.
The 22-year-old trotted out a 32-point, six-rebound, six-assist performance in a loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday. Prior to that, he propelled the Knicks to their only win in the last eight games with a 34-point, eight-assist showing.
Prior to his success this season, Fizdale played musical chairs at the point guard spot, swapping Mudiay with the likes of Frank Ntilikina and Trey Burke, before settling in with the former seventh overall pick.
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