PG: The Tyler Kolek Game

[Guano]

All this kolek hyperbole is a distraction from mikal being a fromt running bully who only gets up against mid/trash teams.

[Gravy]

Smart was making tough shots that you'd let him take anytime. Kolek looked unusually polished for someone who was completely denied development time. If he was properly played he would likely made all rookie team

I see we're doing Frank all over again where if he only got a steady 30 minutes every night next to starters and never got benched and never got yelled at and the coach gave him regular hugs he would be Magic Johnson but mean old Thibs hates him. He was literally Larry Bird last night and won us the game.

I understand pushing back on some of the extreme takes on Kolek after 1 game but calling him bbq chicken in the 2nd half seems to be a bit much imo.

He played less than 4 minutes in that stretch at the end of the 3rd/ beginning of the 4th before Thibs yanked him. These may be the only 2 actions he was involved in on defense.

https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2025/03/22/0022401026/516/254ae3cd-5c89-254c-237e-dfd8e1610683_1280x720.mp4

https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2025/03/22/0022401026/545/29914af0-93f3-44df-ffd4-030234bba2ab_1280x720.mp4

I don't see bad defense and at least one of those shots from Smart was pure luck. Neither of them are shots you worry about Smart making most games.

Kolek was hidden off of the ball most of the game and I don't remember him being involved in any other of the other actions on defense in that period. The team also gave up a few 2nd chance baskets in that period which Kolek did not play a role in.

On offense the team struggled to get anything going but outside of a Mitch layup Kolek was the only one to score with a difficult and-1 basket in the paint. In that period of time Hart barely grazed the rim on a three, Shamet missed another wide open three, KAT dribbled the ball out of bounds, Mitch fumbled the ball away after Kolek drew the attention of the defense getting into the paint and OG was blocked driving into traffic in the paint.

Did I miss something in the 2nd half or are you talking about garbage time?

The lead went from 20 pts when Kolek and Shamet checked in to 9 when they were subbed out against the worst team in the league. They need to contribute more in those times and not rely on everyone else. Like the nice layup Kolek had

[ctorres]

I missed this game

We won
We are .500 in the last 8 games without Brunson
We have the 5th best record the league

Last 8 games, guys are putting up pretty good numbers in Brunson's absence, especially KAT, Mikal, and OG

KAT, Mikal, and OG are averaging 67 points a game without Brunson. Our guys can still get buckets even without our MVP.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/knicks-players-stats-last-8-games

For the season, Mitch is shooting a career high 64% from the free throw line. Hack-A-Mitch is not going to work like it used to

Also, if we face Detroit in the playoffs, I'm not convinced that Cade has the supporting cast to help him beat the Knicks 4 times in a playoff series, even if we were without Brunson. Maybe if he had a healthy Jaden Ivey, but I don't think the other guys are enough to get them over the hump.

Cade would have to have a Vince Carter 2001 type of performance or play like a young LeBron James to beat the Knicks, he can't just be solid. Is Cade that level of superstar right now?

[spree2kawhi]

All this kolek hyperbole is a distraction from mikal being a fromt running bully who only gets up against mid/trash teams.

Oh, that song again.

[Guano]

All this kolek hyperbole is a distraction from mikal being a fromt running bully who only gets up against mid/trash teams.

Oh, that song again.

[Iron Mantis]

Lot of negative energy in this PG thread after a quality win against a tough opponent.

I decided to make this Tuesday's game thread with the more traditional bells and whistles to bring that positive energy back. Let's get this win streak going!

[Capn'O]

Stylistically, he plays a bit like Price and that's all that's about. In terms of a realistic hopeful comp at this point you'd probably say something like Luke Ridnour or TJ Ford but those guys are harder to remember.

He plays like a textbook version of a point guard whomever that is. That might mean he's never going to be freaky deaky special as an athlete and only that he has some of the cleanest fundamentals you'll see in most point guards.

And that's why I like him: He delivers the ball where people can score more easily. No fuss, no muss, just efficient.

Plus, he has good shooting form and he can drive and kick or convert at the rim.

He's a good player and is at the very least a highly competent backup PG if not a starter someday

Sure but there are a couple of archtypes for the pass first point and Kolek fits in with those who sport a north/south attack as well as a perimeter attack. Fisher or Calderon aren't good models for that reason. If they got into the paint somebody made a mistake whereas Kolek can force that action.

He's probably the best passer on the team.

But you can't put him in with the Stockton or Paul tree because those guys had a full offensive arsenal and could/can defend at a high level too.

[3toheadmelo]

All this kolek hyperbole is a distraction from mikal being a fromt running bully who only gets up against mid/trash teams.

Mikal is averaging 14 PPG against Cleveland, Boston and OKC. KAT has also played terrible against those teams too. KAT is only averaging 17 ppg against them. I'm hoping these guys look different in the playoffs but it's pretty disappointing that the two guys that are supposed to help Brunson always disappear against the contenders.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Stockton Nash Cousey West Price Jason Williams hybrid

[Deeeez Knicks]

All this kolek hyperbole is a distraction from mikal being a fromt running bully who only gets up against mid/trash teams.

Never even heard of him, but whoever that is I'm sure is being held back by Thibs

[MrDollarBills]

More of this

[Clyde_Style]

Stylistically, he plays a bit like Price and that's all that's about. In terms of a realistic hopeful comp at this point you'd probably say something like Luke Ridnour or TJ Ford but those guys are harder to remember.

He plays like a textbook version of a point guard whomever that is. That might mean he's never going to be freaky deaky special as an athlete and only that he has some of the cleanest fundamentals you'll see in most point guards.

And that's why I like him: He delivers the ball where people can score more easily. No fuss, no muss, just efficient.

Plus, he has good shooting form and he can drive and kick or convert at the rim.

He's a good player and is at the very least a highly competent backup PG if not a starter someday

Sure but there are a couple of archtypes for the pass first point and Kolek fits in with those who sport a north/south attack as well as a perimeter attack. Fisher or Calderon aren't good models for that reason. If they got into the paint somebody made a mistake whereas Kolek can force that action.

He's probably the best passer on the team.

But you can't put him in with the Stockton or Paul tree because those guys had a full offensive arsenal and could/can defend at a high level too.

The bolded above is what's most important regarding this team.

You can already see how Kolek is looking for his teammates to do their part on the floor to free themselves up whether it is setting a pick or peeling off a screen and heading to the rim.

When you take a guy like this and put him into the hands of a better coach you will get immediate results in terms of easier looks and more efficient offense.

Some PGs mostly play off what the defense gives them, some work to pull the defense out of alignment and exploit those failures to adjust (Brunson) and some guys play what I'll call team chess which is knowing what comes next if X moves to Y and how to deliver the merch in that case.

Kolek is mostly the latter though being a chess player does give you the ability to react in real time too since you've already drilled Plan B, C and D.

And Kolek has a high level understanding of hitting guys in rhythm. It increases the likelihood they will convert that shot.

As far as comps go I'm not attached to any of them. At the end of the day all that matters is can he elevate the team and I think he most definitely can.

[louisorr]

Glad I know what Kolek's ceiling is now.
Just like I knew what Brunson's was after his fourth game in the NBA.

[ScienceOfLosing]

I see we're doing Frank all over again where if he only got a steady 30 minutes every night next to starters and never got benched and never got yelled at and the coach gave him regular hugs he would be Magic Johnson but mean old Thibs hates him. He was literally Larry Bird last night and won us the game.

I understand pushing back on some of the extreme takes on Kolek after 1 game but calling him bbq chicken in the 2nd half seems to be a bit much imo.

He played less than 4 minutes in that stretch at the end of the 3rd/ beginning of the 4th before Thibs yanked him. These may be the only 2 actions he was involved in on defense.

https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2025/03/22/0022401026/516/254ae3cd-5c89-254c-237e-dfd8e1610683_1280x720.mp4

https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2025/03/22/0022401026/545/29914af0-93f3-44df-ffd4-030234bba2ab_1280x720.mp4

I don't see bad defense and at least one of those shots from Smart was pure luck. Neither of them are shots you worry about Smart making most games.

Kolek was hidden off of the ball most of the game and I don't remember him being involved in any other of the other actions on defense in that period. The team also gave up a few 2nd chance baskets in that period which Kolek did not play a role in.

On offense the team struggled to get anything going but outside of a Mitch layup Kolek was the only one to score with a difficult and-1 basket in the paint. In that period of time Hart barely grazed the rim on a three, Shamet missed another wide open three, KAT dribbled the ball out of bounds, Mitch fumbled the ball away after Kolek drew the attention of the defense getting into the paint and OG was blocked driving into traffic in the paint.

Did I miss something in the 2nd half or are you talking about garbage time?

The lead went from 20 pts when Kolek and Shamet checked in to 9 when they were subbed out against the worst team in the league. They need to contribute more in those times and not rely on everyone else. Like the nice layup Kolek had

The first half lead was built in large part when Kolek was PG and handling the ball.
In the 2nd half Thibs started using Cam as PG and Kolek off ball. Why?

[Nostrand Ave]

More of this

Some Knicks fans don’t realize how important it is to have a playmaker like Kolek on the floor with guys who have real offensive firepower. I’ve seen too many games where Bridges and OG look flat because they’re not getting proper looks. And let me remind y’all, the last time Bridges had a true playmaker was in Phoenix with Chris Paul. Josh Hart is not a playmaker. I actually think he’s part of the reason guys look so flat. He’s better suited as a 6th man.

[MrDollarBills]

More of this

Some Knicks fans don’t realize how important it is to have a playmaker like Kolek on the floor with guys who have that kind of offensive firepower. I’ve seen too many games where Bridges and OG look flat because they’re not getting proper looks. Also, let me remind yall, the last time Bridges had a true playmaker was when he played with the Phoenix Suns with Chris Paul.

All of those passes to Bridges in movement is the stuff I've wanted to see all season long. He's much better when he can cut and catch instead of standing around.

It can't hurt to give Kolek some minutes between now and the playoffs running the 2nd unit.

[Jalen Bluntson]

More of this

Some Knicks fans don’t realize how important it is to have a playmaker like Kolek on the floor with guys who have real offensive firepower. I’ve seen too many games where Bridges and OG look flat because they’re not getting proper looks. And let me remind y’all, the last time Bridges had a true playmaker was in Phoenix with Chris Paul. Josh Hart is not a playmaker. I actually think he’s part of the reason guys look so flat. He’s better suited as a 6th man.

It's a shame he couldn't get any burn when Payne/Deuce were playing musical chairs early on and Shamet was out.

[Gravy]

I understand pushing back on some of the extreme takes on Kolek after 1 game but calling him bbq chicken in the 2nd half seems to be a bit much imo.

He played less than 4 minutes in that stretch at the end of the 3rd/ beginning of the 4th before Thibs yanked him. These may be the only 2 actions he was involved in on defense.

https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2025/03/22/0022401026/516/254ae3cd-5c89-254c-237e-dfd8e1610683_1280x720.mp4

https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2025/03/22/0022401026/545/29914af0-93f3-44df-ffd4-030234bba2ab_1280x720.mp4

I don't see bad defense and at least one of those shots from Smart was pure luck. Neither of them are shots you worry about Smart making most games.

Kolek was hidden off of the ball most of the game and I don't remember him being involved in any other of the other actions on defense in that period. The team also gave up a few 2nd chance baskets in that period which Kolek did not play a role in.

On offense the team struggled to get anything going but outside of a Mitch layup Kolek was the only one to score with a difficult and-1 basket in the paint. In that period of time Hart barely grazed the rim on a three, Shamet missed another wide open three, KAT dribbled the ball out of bounds, Mitch fumbled the ball away after Kolek drew the attention of the defense getting into the paint and OG was blocked driving into traffic in the paint.

Did I miss something in the 2nd half or are you talking about garbage time?

The lead went from 20 pts when Kolek and Shamet checked in to 9 when they were subbed out against the worst team in the league. They need to contribute more in those times and not rely on everyone else. Like the nice layup Kolek had

The first half lead was built in large part when Kolek was PG and handling the ball.
In the 2nd half Thibs started using Cam as PG and Kolek off ball. Why?

The first half lead was because Mikal and OG were hitting their shots. Kolek ran some basic plays that we usually run.

Cam and Kolek did not play together, Kolek was the pg, what do you mean?

[ScienceOfLosing]

The lead went from 20 pts when Kolek and Shamet checked in to 9 when they were subbed out against the worst team in the league. They need to contribute more in those times and not rely on everyone else. Like the nice layup Kolek had

The first half lead was built in large part when Kolek was PG and handling the ball.
In the 2nd half Thibs started using Cam as PG and Kolek off ball. Why?

The first half lead was because Mikal and OG were hitting their shots. Kolek ran some basic plays that we usually run.

Cam and Kolek did not play together, Kolek was the pg, what do you mean?

Kolek led the team in assists and was making BEAUTIFUL passes. His timing and placement was constantly excellent. Give him some credit.

I saw the second half condensed and almost every time I saw (who I thought was) Cam handling the ball and Kolek in the corner, again and again. Maybe all the other possessions had Kolek handling the ball but he didn’t play many minutes anyway in the 2nd half.

[JayTWill]

I see we're doing Frank all over again where if he only got a steady 30 minutes every night next to starters and never got benched and never got yelled at and the coach gave him regular hugs he would be Magic Johnson but mean old Thibs hates him. He was literally Larry Bird last night and won us the game.

I understand pushing back on some of the extreme takes on Kolek after 1 game but calling him bbq chicken in the 2nd half seems to be a bit much imo.

He played less than 4 minutes in that stretch at the end of the 3rd/ beginning of the 4th before Thibs yanked him. These may be the only 2 actions he was involved in on defense.

https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2025/03/22/0022401026/516/254ae3cd-5c89-254c-237e-dfd8e1610683_1280x720.mp4

https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2025/03/22/0022401026/545/29914af0-93f3-44df-ffd4-030234bba2ab_1280x720.mp4

I don't see bad defense and at least one of those shots from Smart was pure luck. Neither of them are shots you worry about Smart making most games.

Kolek was hidden off of the ball most of the game and I don't remember him being involved in any other of the other actions on defense in that period. The team also gave up a few 2nd chance baskets in that period which Kolek did not play a role in.

On offense the team struggled to get anything going but outside of a Mitch layup Kolek was the only one to score with a difficult and-1 basket in the paint. In that period of time Hart barely grazed the rim on a three, Shamet missed another wide open three, KAT dribbled the ball out of bounds, Mitch fumbled the ball away after Kolek drew the attention of the defense getting into the paint and OG was blocked driving into traffic in the paint.

Did I miss something in the 2nd half or are you talking about garbage time?

The lead went from 20 pts when Kolek and Shamet checked in to 9 when they were subbed out against the worst team in the league. They need to contribute more in those times and not rely on everyone else. Like the nice layup Kolek had

Watch on YouTube

But seriously those 2 shots Smart made don't qualify as BBQ chicken imo.

On the offensive end he was only out there for 6-7 possessions. He may have gotten into the paint on 3 of those possessions. One was the and-1 basket without the help of a screen.

Another he found Shamet cutting to the basket but unfortunately KAT and Mitch decided to come crashing into the paint at the same time which led to a turnover when Shamet tried to pass it off to Mitch. I'm assuming KAT and Mitch are still getting used to playing next to each other as 2 bigs and may not be used to a guard passing the ball in that situation.

Another time Kolek may have forced a pass into Mitch but a foul could have been called on Holmes for jumping into Mitch on that play.

There were two possessions with KAT handling the ball in the post. One he turned the ball over when double came. The other led to a wide open 3 that Shamet. Another possession Shamet found Mitch for an uncontested layup. The only other possession ended with a wide open 3 that teams are begging Hart to take which he missed also.

So outside of not forcing that one pass into Mitch that didn't even lead to a turnover what more could you expect from Kolek? Did you expect the rookie point guard to come off the bench and just assert himself as the number 1 option? He attacked off the dribble creating opportunities for himself and others and he fed the post. He was not responsible for the turnovers, missed shots, and second chance baskets on the other end.