(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The NBA Summer League is when young players can prove themselves and show scouts and the coaching staff what they are capable of.
Rookie Tyler Kolek has made an impression on fans of the New York Knicks and they are excited to see what he can do next.
Kolek wants to do something unique on his own and doesn’t want to be compared to others.
According to Stefan Bondy, per NBACentral, Kolek isn’t a fan of being compared to TJ McConnell.
“I think it’s a little lazy,” Kolek said of being held up against McConnell.
Tyler Kolek isn’t really a fan of being compared to TJ McConnell
“I think it’s a little lazy.”
(Via @SbondyNBA ) pic.twitter.com/XFllSBP6HI
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 15, 2024
Kolek definitely does play like McConnell in many ways and the comparison should be considered a compliment because McConnell averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 assists last season for the Indiana Pacers.
He was praised by fans and analysts and was in contention for Sixth Man of the Year.
But Kolek doesn’t want to be compared to others and wishes to make a name for himself based solely on his own accomplishments.
During his first Summer League game on Saturday, Kolek scored 7 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds with 0 turnovers during his 29 minutes on the floor.
That was enough to earn a ton of attention from Knicks fans who want to see big things from the incoming rookie.
If Kolek continues to play like this, he will receive the fierce loyalty of Knicks fans and could earn a spot alongside Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Julius Randle, and the rest of the exciting lineup.
Comparisons happen all the time in the NBA but Kolek is looking to prove that he’s someone completely different, brand new, and exciting.
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