The New York Knicks faithful seems to fully be embracing the tank, but Trey Burke is not sympathetic to the movement whatsoever.
In an interview with Al Iannazzone of Newsday that ran Sunday, the Knicks guard spoke out on the fanbase’s apparent desire for the team to bottom out.
“It bothers me, but I understand,” said Burke, who is on a one-year deal. “From a fan’s standpoint, I understand. But from a player’s standpoint, they have to understand as well. That’s all I ask of ’em. I ask the fans to understand our standpoint, too. Do you all want us to go out there and to look bad, to look like bums? They might say we already look like bums. Whatever they say.
“That’s not in my DNA to go out there and lose,” he added. “I don’t know how to play like that. I’ve never been taught how to play like that. We go out there, we got families. We’re not only playing for the organization, playing for the city, we’re playing for our families as well. I just don’t know how to do that.”
On one hand, the incentive for the team to tank is strong — the Knicks are in a lost season with franchise player Kristaps Porzingis out with a torn ACL, and this is the last year to take advantage before the NBA’s anti-tanking reform kicks in. But Burke’s comments are also a good reminder that the decision to intentionally lose games comes from management and not from players (who can be competing for a new contract or even just for a roster spot). We know of at least one former Knick who likely agrees with Burke’s assessments too.
