Tyler Kolek enters his third NBA season facing significant competition for playing time in the Knicks’ championship backcourt.
The 25-year-old isn’t making predictions about his role, instead focusing on trying to “every day be consistent.” He also believes becoming more aggressive offensively will be important.
“Early on in the season, I was finishing at a high level. And then later on in the year, I was getting in there, maybe I was looking a little too passive,” Kolek said Saturday.
“So just looking for my shot, being more aggressive in the paint, and then that opens everything else up. Having the defense collapse, and then finding sprays for our guys.”
Kolek earned rotation minutes last season when injuries created an opportunity behind Jalen Brunson. He impressed during December and the Knicks’ NBA Cup championship run before falling out of the rotation following Jose Alvarado’s arrival.
With Alvarado, Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Landry Shamet, Miles McBride and Jordan Clarkson returning, minutes will again be difficult to earn. Kolek has been studying Brunson as he tries to improve his finishing.
“Obviously, Jalen is amazing in the midrange, amazing with floaters, finishing at the rim,” he said.
“So taking that aspect of the game as a smaller guard – I need to be really efficient in the paint and around the rim. And that’ll open everything else for us.”
The Knicks will begin their title defense with plenty of attention, including a championship celebration on Opening Night. Kolek believes the team cannot allow that success to create complacency.
“The first game will feel like a great celebration. But internally we got to block out what the fans are thinking and everything that the media is going to say,” Kolek said.
“Even though we may not be picked to be the favorites, New York fans are still going to say we’re the champs and we should run it back, we should win again. But we got to stay locked in. … At this stage, though, we shouldn’t have to be motivated. We’re champions. We know what it looks like. And we’re not just satisfied with one.”
The player also expects New York’s rivals to strengthen their rosters in an attempt to knock off the defending champions.
“It happens every year in the NBA. The Thunder won the year before; everybody loads up to try to beat the Thunder. We win, [and the same thing happens],” Kolek said.
“It happens every single year. It’s a copycat league. Teams are trying to beat the best and compete with the best. So they do what they can.”
