LOS ANGELES — It was like old times — Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke together winning games, just as they once did at Michigan.
And don’t forget Knicks general manager Scott Perry, a former Michigan assistant who took Burke out to dinner as a Pistons and Magic executive when the point-guard prospect played for the Wolverines.
“The Michigan connections are there — me being here with Tim,’’ Burke said. “A lot of Michigan guys in the organization. A lot of Michigan alumni are Knicks fans as well.’’
If the Knicks don’t quite have a point-guard controversy, they have a point-guard puzzle following Friday’s nail-biter victory at Utah, with the Lakers — minus Lonzo Ball (knee) — on tap Sunday at Staples Center.
As rookie Frank Ntilikina and veteran Jarrett Jack sat and Kemba Walker counts down his days in Charlotte, the newly signed Burke became the Knicks’ floor leader during the final 9:59 in contributing to a rare road win against the Jazz.
“All I know is he’s definitely making the most of his opportunity right now,’’ Hardaway said during Saturday’s practice at UCLA. “[Friday] night in Utah he showed it on nationally televised game. It was great to see him against his former team that drafted him and put a performance like he did and how poised he was, how aggressive he was defensively, offensively, making the right plays. He’s just got to continue to do that.”
The chemistry between Burke and Hardaway is obvious. They combined for 13 fourth-quarter points. Burke admitted Hardaway’s presence was a top reason he joined the Knicks’ training camp in the final days — and he agreed to polish himself at G-League Westchester waiting for his moment.
The moment arrived in Burke’s second Knicks appearance — in Salt Lake City, where he had known a lot of disappointment as a lottery pick gone bust.
“I can just read him on the floor anywhere, especially when he’s coming downhill,’’ Hardaway said. “Yeah, it was immediate. I kind of know his game so well. Even when I wasn’t playing with him the past couple of years, I definitely watched him in Utah, Washington. I still know what he can do on the court, and what he’s able to do both offensively and defensively. It felt like old times.”
Ntilikina got yanked late in the first quarter after a sloppy three-minute stint and in came Burke. On the first play, Burke dribbled down the lane and fell out of bounds. It was not foreshadowing — just nerves.
With 9:45 left in a tight game, Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek tabbed Burke, and on the first possession he forced a Utah turnover.
“When I first got out there [in the first half], I slipped on the first possession and turned the ball over,’’ Burke said. “I was like, man, that’s a bad way to start. Mentally, I snapped back in it. I think I did a great job of controlling the tempo. I could’ve been more aggressive but as far as getting everyone involved, I did a good job.’’
Knicks president Steve Mills and Perry admitted their mistake last weekend when they cut Ramon Sessions, a bad summer signing.
At 25, Burke is getting an audition for next season as the Knicks try to catch lightning in a bottle. Burke admitted he’s still learning the sets, still watching film in his hotel room, still making mistakes on the court and moving to the wrong spot.
Ntilikina is 19 — still a project, as witnessed in Utah. Maybe the Frenchman has hit the rookie wall. Jack, meanwhile, is on his last legs and probably won’t be around next season.
“I know I am different player, different person,’’ Burke said. “Lighter weight-wise, quicker, stronger. I got away from everybody this summer and took a summer sacrificing and working out three times a day. I feel I’m a much better player. Time will tell with that. It’ll show. I know I can help this team win.’’
The vexing question for Hornacek is managing the workload for his three point guards.
“Outside looking in, it looks awkward,’’ Burke said. “As professionals, coach is going to go with who he goes with. Whatever’s working that night, he’ll stick with it. We leave it to coach to make those decisions.’’
Hornacek will go with the hot hand.
“We do have another option, so the night maybe Frank’s not having a great night, we have Trey for that opportunity,’’ Hornacek said.
The rookie is averaging 5.3 points and shooting 34.8 percent. He was scoreless in five minutes Friday and didn’t defend in his usual competent way. It raises the question if a few games in the G-League for Ntilikina wouldn’t hurt to work on his outside shooting.
Asked why he didn’t play Ntilikina, Hornacek noted Jazz point guard Ricky Rubio was having his way on drives.
“We can’t afford a five-minute stretch of not getting after it,’’ Hornacek said.
Hornacek said perhaps the recent spate of road games have taken their toll.
“It’s just 19-year-old consistency that every 19-year-old has in this league,’’ Hornacek said. “We’re traveling now. Earlier on we were at home a lot, so it makes it easier on a young player. Now we got in [L.A.] last night, by the time we got bags, it was 4 in the morning — 5 [a.m.] Utah time. Now you’ve got to come out and practice [Saturday].’’