Tyler Kolek hit a snag on Friday night.
After being a high roller with a breakthrough NBA Cup Final performance and then posting 16 points and 11 assists in a win at Indiana on Thursday, Kolek stumbled against the 76ers and finished with just two points, two rebounds, two assists and four turnovers.
That performance was a reminder that as exciting as the past two games have been for Kolek, the second-year guard is still a work in progress.
“Everyone has their days off or off, but you know, can you turn your ‘C’ day into a ‘B’ day? Can you turn your ‘D’ day into a ‘C’ day?” Kolek said. “So just try to be consistent no matter what.”
That is the next step in Kolek’s development.
Every time he steps on the floor, he has to find ways to contribute at a high level.
It helps that he plays behind a perennial All-Star in Jalen Brunson. In fact, Kolek has many shades of Brunson in the way he approaches the game.
Kolek said the biggest lessons he learned from dealing with Brunson are his single-mindedness when it comes to reviewing films and putting in the work to get better.
“It was special,” Kolek said. “He’s kind of taken me under his wing. I’ve been able to watch him train. … I’m just trying to pick up little tendencies from him, whatever I can.”
Mike Brown also helped prepare the 2024 second-round pick.
Brown’s biggest message to Kolek?
“Give 110 percent effort,” Kolek said.
“We want to be a champion team and everyone must always give their best effort,” Kolek continued. “So I applaud him for challenging us and pushing us to be better.”
The Knicks are in the midst of a grueling stretch of playing 14 games in 24 days. Sunday’s game against the Heat is their third game in four days.
It’s a long season and Josh Hart said sometimes it’s okay to “give yourself grace” during the rough patches.
“It’s a season with ups and downs, [you have] games like [Friday]“They’re games where you feel like you can’t find it, you know, when the game is there,” Hart said. “And it’s just one extra effort and if you feel like you can’t get that extra effort, then it happens, a long season.”
But Brunson offered a different perspective and took responsibility for the Knicks falling short against the Sixers.
“You have to hold each other to a higher standard. I have to hold myself to a higher standard,” Brunson said. “[Friday’s game] was very winnable, but you have to give them credit, they played all the way, we didn’t.
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