Tyler Kolek keeps making case for more Knicks minutes as he embraces Mike Brown challenge
NY Post
INDIANAPOLIS — Tyler Kolek sent another message that he’s deserving of a real chance at more minutes and the backup point guard spot.
Following up on his breakthrough in the NBA Cup Final Four, Kolek helped turn the tide with a statement double-double and a strong second quarter in Thursday’s 114-113 Knicks victory over the Pacers.
The scrappy Kolek finished with 16 points and 11 assists, both career highs, in 26 minutes and was sent a message by coach Mike Brown to embrace the defensive mindset of the opposing point guard from Thursday night — Indiana’s TJ McConnell.
“And I’m not comparing all small white guys with each other when I give TJ McConnell as an example. But I say, look, this dude has been in the league for [what feels like] 30 years. And it’s because of his toughness first, especially defensively,” Brown said. “And his ability offensively to understand where his strengths are.
“And I said to Tyler, ‘If there’s anybody in this league you need to take a look at, it’s him. Because you have a superpower offensively — you can score. You have a second superpower — you can pass. You have some quickness too. You have a good feel. But defensively, you got to develop a superpower for your size. And you got good feet. Now it’s about using those and being physically tough every single possession,’ which is what he’s been doing.”
Kolek, among the heroes of Tuesday’s NBA Cup final victory over the Spurs, has been getting more opportunities lately with the injuries to Miles McBride and Landry Shamet.
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