Rookie walls are like unicorns to Allonzo Trier. They don’t exist.
“That’s like a fairy tale,’’ Trier said. “A myth to me.’’
The undrafted rookie fell into a deep tailspin after he signed a fresh two-year contract in mid-December, but he has since resuscitated his season.
In his past six games, the 23-year-old Trier has been spectacular, averaging 15.7 points on 55.8 percent shooting, including 50 percent
from beyond the 3-point line.
His play had wavered since late December, and Trier says it was more mental than physical. The Arizona product was figuring out new defenses and a new way of sharing the ball. “IsoZo’’ is his Twitter handle, and he’s always known a one-on-one style of play.
Coach David Fizdale granted Trier, more than any Knick, the green light. That became a sore subject for some veterans who headed to Dallas in the Kristaps Porzingis trade, according to an NBA source.
“I didn’t hit a rookie wall,’’ Trier said Thursday after his 22-point outing in a loss against the Cavaliers. “You go through that phase. I was learning the game, putting it all together in my first season. The best thing to learn is going through experience.
“That’s what I’m doing right now. Struggling between finding a balance of looking to find my teammates more and being who I am — a basketball player doing what I do best. It’s my first year playing here, and I’m trying to figure it out.’’
In January, Trier engaged in an oncourt argument with Tim Hardaway Jr., now in Dallas along with Trey Burke, Courtney Lee and Porzingis. Hardaway got enraged when Trier didn’t pass him the ball when he was wide open by the basket.
According to a source, the Hardaway-Trier argument was a long time coming. More than one veteran wasn’t pleased with the carte blanche rookies such as Trier were afforded by Fizdale, a source said.
After seeing Trier’s early-season burst, his slithering inside-outside game, opponents became more attentive to stopping his penetration.
“I’ve already been dealing with that,’’ Trier said. “I watch how teams guard me. Me being a threat scoring and putting on pressure on them, they scheme and guard me different.”
Trier was in the throes of missing seven games with a hamstring injury when he had his two-way G-League contract ripped up. Then, after his return Dec. 27, he endured a nine-game stretch during which he shot 30.5 percent and averaged 4.5 points. Now, he has found himself while rookie lottery pick Kevin Knox is mired in a long funk.
Trier’s new contract contains a team option for next season. Averaging 10.5 points on 45.5 percent shooting and 38.6 on 3s, he is expected to be a keeper.
After the Dallas trade, the Knicks have plenty of cap space. Trier is also a friend of Kevin Durant from playing high school ball in Oklahoma City. He’s one of general manager Scott Perry’s success stories. Trier went undrafted in June following a productive career at Arizona marred by failed tests for performance-enhancing drugs.
“It’s part of my growth going through stretches I’m not playing as well, might not be putting up the same numbers,’’ Trier said. “I’m continuing to learn the game and putting it all together. If I score a lot of points or miss shots, it’s continuing to build.’’
The Knicks face the Clippers on Sunday in Los Angeles to start their three-game Western trip and conclude in Phoenix, where Wildcats alumni proliferate.
“Another basketball game to me: Go out and try to win,’’ Trier said. “I’ll just be in Phoenix.’’