The New York Knicks have no shortage of established, veteran talent, although Tyler Kolek thinks it was overlooked role players who offered more guidance than the All-Stars.
The New York Knicks, in an effort to break through and win the Eastern Conference for the first time since 1999, added Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele as depth pieces this offseason.
To maximize their depth, the team fired head coach Tom Thibodeau and hired Mike Brown, and youngsters Tyler Kolek, Ariel Hukporti, and Pacome Dadiet will be expected to step up.
While Kolek had an entire season to learn from Jalen Brunson, it was two overlooked NBA veterans who showed him the ropes.
Photo by Elsa/Getty ImagesTyler Kolek praises Cameron Payne, Delon Wright
After a successful stint in college, emerging as one of the best floor generals in the country, Kolek was picked 34th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, and was expected to be an infrequently used role-player.
Kolek was well aware of those expectations, so he turned to Delon Wright and Cameron Payne, who have both enjoyed long careers in a similar position, and they offered him the guidance he needed.
“Last year, Cam Payne really helped me out, you know, kind of in that backup guard role coming in,” Kolek revealed. “He’s really experienced in that role and being able to help me with my mindset coming into the game, how I should be attacking it. Another guy, Delon Wright, too. You know, those two veteran guys are so important.”
While Kolek, like every other NBA player, would like to be an All-Star, he knows that having a long career is a much more realistic goal.
“10 plus years in the NBA, that’s what every guy dreams of doing,” he added. “And so I kind of lean on those guys, even if they’re not playing, they kind of give me great insight into what I should be doing day to day, how I should be attacking every day, how I should be attacking every game.”
After averaging only 7.2 minutes in 41 games last season, Kolek is prepared to step into a bigger role.
Mike Brown is expected to give Tyler Kolek a bigger role
Wright and Payne are both free agents, and the true point guards in New York are Kolek, Brunson, and Miles McBride. Clarkson plays best next to a true point guard, and with massive money committed to the stars, the Knicks need to find high-value players where they can.
Kolek, hopefully, will fit the bill, and he thinks Brown will give him some chances he never received under Thibodeau.
“Change is always different,” he explained. “You always have to adjust to that. So just, you know, kind of getting to know him, get to know the rest of the staff, I’m really excited.”
While Kolek expects to have a career arc similar to Wright or Payne, Brunson was overlooked in the 2018 Draft, going 30th overall, so there is a blueprint for success and stardom.
“Being able to watch him every day, work and strive for greatness, has really been special,” said Kolek of Brunson.
Despite limited action in his rookie season, the Knicks’ third-string point guard is in the best situation possible for long-term success and could be a breakout candidate this season.
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