LAS VEGAS — Tyler Kollek isn’t a big fan of the comparisons he’s making to TJ McConnell.
“It’s OK,” said the former second-round pick the Knicks acquired on draft day last month. “I just think I’ve been a little too lazy.”
What wasn’t mentioned was that McConnell, like Kollek, is a white player, and white players tend to get lumped together when predictions fly (next up: Cooper Flagg to Larry Bird).
Kolek isn’t upset about being compared to the nine-year NBA veteran. [McConnell]”He’s great,” he said Sunday, but the point guard also feels his scheme of attack is similar to that of Jalen Brunson, another second-round draft pick.
“I feel like his game is a little closer to what I like to do than TJ McConnell’s, which is playing at my own pace, getting in the paint and getting guys involved,” Korec said. “In the short area, mid-range when coming off ball screens and isolations, I can really learn a lot from him. I’m really excited to learn from him and watch him play and learn as much as I can.”
Korec was the most impressive of the Knicks’ three rookies in Saturday’s summer league opener, a close loss to the Hornets that was a tough battle for first-round draft pick Pacome Dadiet in particular.
Korec, who was selected 34th overall by Portland in exchange for three future second-round picks and the draft rights of Dani Diez, showed offensive command and poise, finishing with nine points to go with seven assists and seven rebounds.
It was just one Summer League game, and it’s dangerous to take anything from a couple of games in Las Vegas, but the effort didn’t dispel the notion that Korec could compete for playing time behind Brunson.
“I definitely think I have the ability to call the game and get guys involved, but at the end of the day it’s about what the team needs,” Kollek said. “Whatever Jalen asks me to do, I’m going to follow his instructions. Outside of that, whatever Coach Thibs asks me to do, I’m going to follow his instructions.”
Korec, who started at point guard in place of Rocas Yokubaitis on Saturday, participated in a mini-training camp at the Knicks’ training facility with other rookies after the draft.
He impressed assistant coach Dais Yoshimoto, who is in charge of the summer league team.
Scouts who attended the game said they expected Korec to thrive offensively in the NBA, but expressed concern he might not be able to get in front of opponents defensively.
“Very unselfish. Great floor game,” Yoshimoto said. “Tough. Smart. And obviously he’s a winner.”
All six of Korek’s wins at Marquette came against Villanova, a school with strong ties to the Knicks and four alumni on the roster: Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges.
Kollek doesn’t want to create any Big East issues with his new teammates.
“There’s no ill will from the start,” Korec said. “If they start arguing, I’ll give my opinion. The game will take care of itself. They won a national championship. They’ve done a lot of great things there. That program is really special. You can only really hope to emulate what Villanova has done. But I’ve already seen Jalen say that if our teams were to play, he’d like to put some money on it. We’ll see what happens. It could be a friendly bet.”
But Kollek would rather learn from Branson.
“Controlled play, picking angles, getting to the free throw line,” he said. “That’s a really big thing. He’s great at getting to the free throw line. I really have to learn that. In the NBA, it’s totally different.”
