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Knicks Rookie PG Showing Progress

The New York Knicks like what they see from their rookie point guard.

Jeremy Brener

Oct 28, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (13) during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Oct 28, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (13) during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images / John Jones-Imagn Images
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While New York Knicks rookie point guard Tyler Kolek played in just two minutes during the team's loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, his inclusion in the team's eight-man rotation is a sign that coach Tom Thibodeau is beginning to trust him.

“Each day [Tyler Kolek] gets better," Thibodeau said h/t Posting and Toasting. "He’s got a great feel for the game, and he’s a worker. He’s still learning the league and he’ll get better and better, with understanding what’s happening with defenses and also as he becomes more familiar with the people that he’s guarding and the teams. I think each time out, you can see his confidence growing. We have a lot of confidence in him, and I see it every day. Usually it starts in practice, and if you practice well, you usually play well.”

Thibodeau is notorious for giving rookies a lot of time on the sidelines to learn, and when they see the court, it isn't for very long. That was reflected in Kolek's brief time on the court against the Pacers. However, Kolek has appeared in seven of the nine games so far for the time, which is a welcomed sign at this point in the season.

Kolek's progression is also impressing his teammate Jalen Brunson.

“I talk to Tyler every day," Brunson said. "I like Tyler, just watching him work hard every single chance he gets, it’s something that gets me excited about his future.”

As time goes on, Kolek will begin to feel more comfortable, and that should lead to more opportunities to contribute for the Knicks down the line.

Kolek and the Knicks will be back in action tomorrow when they take on Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers in the Emirates NBA Cup opener.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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