In watching his rookie teammate step up because the Knicks frontcourt took a number of damage hits, Josh Hart was reminded of a chunk of recommendation he heard throughout his first 12 months with the Lakers:
“Stay ready, you don’t gotta be ready.”
The phrases got here from then-Lakers affiliate head coach Brian Shaw in 2017.
It’s precisely what Hart noticed in younger guard Tyler Kolek on Saturday throughout his season-high 18 minutes within the 122-103 win over the Wizards.
“He stayed ready, stayed involved, stayed working, and when he got his opportunity, he was able to go out there and execute,” Hart mentioned Monday following observe. “You guys seen it in the course of the NBA season, guys that are not playing and they kind of, their mind floats, and their opportunity comes and they’re not ready for it. So, he put the work in. He’s continuing to put the work in now knowing that we are going to call his number more.”
The Knicks have taken a giant hit since Jalen Brunson went down with an ankle damage on March 6 in opposition to the Lakers.
He’s anticipated to be out at the very least one other week.
They’ve managed a 4-4 file since then, however Saturday’s recreation additionally noticed Miles McBride exit with a groin damage.
Tom Thibodeau was pressured to name upon Cam Payne and Kolek, however the head coach knew his rookie was prepared for the duty and is ready to tackle extra minutes because it’s unknown if McBride will take the court docket for Tuesday’s recreation in opposition to the Mavericks.
In line with The Publish’s Stefan Bondy, McBride is prone to miss his second straight contest.
“Yeah, he’s worked hard all year. The things that he needed to do, he did,” Thibodeau mentioned of Kolek. “He works, he’s a tireless worker. Performed well in the G-League. So when the opportunity came, he was ready. And there’s still obviously a lot of work to be done but he keeps getting better and better and that’s a good sign.”
Kolek was a star at Marquette, receiving accolades as greatest participant within the 2022-23 Huge East regular-season and event.
Nonetheless, that and his stable efficiency within the Summer time League is the small pattern measurement of which Knicks followers can base their opinions of the rookie.
He has averaged a mere 5.2 minutes per recreation throughout 34 contests this season after falling wanting cracking the guard rotation of Brunson, Mikal Bridges, McBride and Payne.
But, on Saturday, the 23-year-old stepped as much as rating 4 factors off the bench whereas allotting eight assists and grabbing three steals throughout his first significant minutes on the court docket in months.
The aftermath, Hart mentioned, provides the Knicks some confidence as they tackle 12 video games earlier than the postseason — at the very least 4 of which will likely be with out Brunson.
“Obviously, when you’ve got guys out and guys step up, it boosts your confidence in those guys and in the flow of the team,” he mentioned. “That’s what the NBA season is, guys staying ready and when they get their opportunity, seize it.”
Kolek is thought for his potential to facilitate.
His strengths have been getting his teammates concerned, pushing the tempo and out of doors capturing.
The priority comes within the second-round choose’s defensive potential as a smaller guard.
But, Thibodeau believes that can all fall into place with time.
“I think like for most rookies, there’s a big adjustment going from college to the pros,” he mentioned. “So understanding your team responsibilities and the individual responsibilities. And who you’re guarding, the strengths and weaknesses of the team. He’s a gym rat and he loves the game so he’s learning each day. And the more times he goes through it, the better he’ll get.”
The Knicks see Kolek as a participant who is aware of there may be extra to enhance upon.
One who’s hungry for the subsequent step — which can come once more as quickly as Tuesday and Wednesday in back-to-back matchups for the Knicks.
“[He] doesn’t think he knows everything…” OG Anunoby mentioned of Kolek. “He’s curious to learn, curious to grow. I think those are the most important things.”
