A grateful recruit for mentoring these two former Knicks

Knicks coach David Fizdale compared rookie goaltender Allonzo Trier (6-foot-5) to reigning Clippers Lou Williams, sixth man of the year.

Trier, from Seattle, would be just as flattered if he was compared to former Clippers' sixth man, Jamal Crawford.
Trier's friendship with two other Seattle products and with former guards of the Knicks, Crawford and Nate Robinson. The latter, who is retired, was present at the Garden for the opening of the season on Wednesday.

The former dunk champion nicknamed "Nate The Great" was hit by Trier's chest after the undisclosed Arizona star seduced Knicks fans with a ruthless dunk over the Atlanta Taurean Prince.

"These two guys are great supporters of me, great guys who will be mentors if I have something to ask them," said Trier after his successful debut with Knicks, in which he racked up 15 points with two blocks and five rebounds. "But it's a coincidence that they are guys from Seattle who played here before me."

Two of the most beautiful Knicks maneuvers of Isiah Thomas, Crawford and Robinson, are icons of Seattle in a city deprived of his NBA team.

"These are guys who saw me growing up when I started playing basketball, great guys," said Trier. "They love giving back to the community and they try to be there for the young kids who are promising players, try to give advice and mentors to them, point us in a positive direction."

Fizdale's comparison with the instant Williams offense also makes sense for Trier.

"It's a compliment, a guy who won the sixth player of the year, a very good player, had a long career," said Trier. "A guy who can score the ball, gets out of the bench, plays for his teammates, has a lot of ability to create."

Nicknames "IsoZo", Trier has the green light in Fizdale's ballooning offense. And that green light drove Trier to the collapse of Trae Young and a spectacular surge that prompted Fizdale to party and send the garden into a frenzy.

"Oh yeah, that was a lot of buzz [on social media], many mentions from people, "said Trier. "It was a special moment to feel the energy of the garden during the opening night. I expect a lot from others.

Fizdale said rookie center Mitchell Robinson, who lasted 1h19 before stretching his ankle, should be ready on Friday in Brooklyn. … Courtney Lee may be disabled for a second consecutive game.