When the Knicks' frontcourt suffered some injuries, watching his rookie teammate step up, Josh Hart recalls advice he heard in his first year with the Lakers.
“Be prepared, you must not be ready.”
The word came from then-Lakers associate coach Brian Shaw in 2017.
That's exactly what we saw with young security guard Tyler Collek on a season-high 18-minute Saturday, a 122-103 victory at the wizard.
“He was ready, he kept involved, he kept working, and when he got his chance he was able to get out there and run,” Hart said Monday following practice. “I saw it over the course of the NBA season. People who aren't playing and their minds are floating around, their opportunities come, they're not ready for it, so he's at work.
The Knicks were a huge hit since falling against the Lakers on March 6th with an ankle injury.
He is expected to be out at least another week.
They have been keeping a 4-4 record ever since, but in Saturday's game, Miles McBride went out with a gro caliber injury.
Tom Thibodeau has been forced to call on Cam Payne and Korek, but the head coach knows his rookie is ready for work and it's unclear whether McBride will go to court for Tuesday's game against the Mavericks, so he's ready to take more time.
McBride could miss his second straight contest, according to Stephen Bondy of the Post.
“Yeah, he's worked hard all year round. He did what he needed to do,” Thibodeau said of the Colek. “He's working, he's a tireless worker. He worked well in the G League, so when the opportunity came, he was ready.
Korek is a star of Marquette and was praised as the best player in the 2022-23 Big East regular season and tournament.
But that and his solid performance in the summer league is a small sample size that Knicks fans can base their opinions on rookies.
He averaged just 5.2 minutes per game in 34 contests this season after breaking down guard rotations for Branson, Mikal Bridges, McBride and Payne.
However, on Saturday the 23-year-old stepped up to score four points off the bench, handing out eight assists in his first meaningful minutes on the court in a few months, grabbing three steels.
The aftermath gives the Knicks confidence when they play in 12 games before the postseason.
“Obviously, when you put everyone out and people step up, it boosts your confidence in the flow of those people and the team,” he said. “That's the NBA season. I'm still ready and grabbing it when I get the chance.”
The collector is known for his ability to promote.
His strengths are involving his teammates, pushing pace and external fire.
The concern lies in the defensive ability of the second round pick as a small guard.
But Thibodeau believes it all falls into place over time.
“I think there's a big adjustment from college to professionals, like most rookies,” he said. “So you understand the responsibility of your team and the individual responsibilities. And the person you are guarding, the pros and cons of the team. He is a gym rat and he loves the game, so he learns every day.
The Knicks see them as players who know there is more to improve their Collectk.
Those who are hungry for the next step – may come again on Tuesday and Wednesday with a back-to-back matchup for the Knicks.
“[He] I don't think he knows everything…” OG Anunoby said of Kolek. I think these are the most important things. ”
