Frustration and Improvement
On a Tuesday night in Minnesota, Knicks head coach Mike Brown expressed his frustration with Tyler Kolek during halftime after the player struggled with his shooting, hitting only three out of ten attempts, some of which were way off target.
“If you’re going to take that many shots, you need to convert more of them,”
Brown admonished, criticizing the rookie for his performance.
Turning Point
Instead of retreating under pressure, Kolek took the coach’s remarks to heart. He improved significantly in the second half, managing to score six out of twelve shots. In a standout moment, Kolek made a three-pointer that forced the Timberwolves to call a timeout, and he confidently informed Brown,
“I’m gonna knock that m———er down!”
Comeback Performance
When the Knicks returned to New York, the confidence Kolek had gained was palpable. In a crucial fourth quarter of a nationally aired matchup, with his team trailing by 12 points, Kolek turned the game around. In just five minutes, he fired off three successful three-point shots, inciting chants of ‘Ty-ler Kol-ek’ from the ecstatic Madison Square Garden crowd.
With an impressive 11 points scored in the fourth quarter alone, Kolek was instrumental in narrowing the Knicks’ deficit from 17 points, marking an impressive comeback. Looking back at his recent performances leading up to Christmas Day, where he averaged nine points, five rebounds, and five assists over the previous five games, it’s clear Kolek has been on an upward trajectory. Additionally, he had a notable 14-point outing in the NBA Cup championship game against San Antonio.
Strategic Implications
Kolek’s recent surge raises questions about how the Knicks will strategize as they approach the upcoming trade deadline. In light of his increased minutes, it seems probable that fellow guard Guerschon Yabusele could be in jeopardy of a trade. The Knicks have shown interest in backup guards like New Orleans’ Jose Alvarado, a New York City native. However, Kolek’s growth might lead the team to reconsider their need for additional depth at the point guard position, suggesting a potential shift in their trading strategy.
Resilience and Concerns
During the Christmas Day matchup against Cleveland, the Knicks demonstrated their resilience, battling back from a 15-point deficit with just six minutes left in the first quarter and later trailing by 17 points in the fourth quarter. Much of their success stemmed from Jordan Clarkson, who delivered an impressive 25-point performance off the bench, alongside Kolek’s input.
With Josh Hart urging the bench to play more aggressively following the Minnesota loss, the team’s cohesive play became evident during their Christmas comeback. Brown lauded the team’s unity and confidence in one another, highlighting that when players believe in their teammates, anything is possible.
However, concern looms after Hart exited the game in the fourth quarter due to a leg injury, a relatively rare occurrence for the usually durable player. The Knicks have yet to provide an update on his condition, and losing Hart—especially with fellow players Miles McBride and Landry Shamet already sidelined—could pose a significant challenge for New York going forward.
