There is something extra fun about watching a basketball season develop in real time. That's especially true with the New York Knicks. Before the standings settle in and the familiar stars dominate every conversation, younger players are waiting for their chance to change how they're viewed.
That process can be one of the best parts of following the NBA. A player can begin the year as someone most people barely mention and finish it as someone fans are suddenly wondering how they ever overlooked. Those are the kinds of players who can eventually become the Jalen Brunsons of the league, growing from developing pieces into major contributors against the Knicks' competition.
The Knicks have two players who could be worth following closely for that reason: Tyler Kolek and Mohamed Diawara.
Kolek is heading into Year 2 at point guard, and there are already signs that the Knicks see something worth developing. One detail from the offseason stands out. Kolek didn't participate in Summer League, which has been viewed as an indication that the organization has greater confidence in his development. Instead of needing another extended audition, he appears to be moving toward the next stage of his progression.
That doesn't necessarily mean he'll suddenly become one of New York's most important players when the games start. There are veteran ball-handlers in front of him, and earning regular playing time in an NBA rotation is never quite as simple as it looks from the outside.
#knicks
That process can be one of the best parts of following the NBA. A player can begin the year as someone most people barely mention and finish it as someone fans are suddenly wondering how they ever overlooked. Those are the kinds of players who can eventually become the Jalen Brunsons of the league, growing from developing pieces into major contributors against the Knicks' competition.
The Knicks have two players who could be worth following closely for that reason: Tyler Kolek and Mohamed Diawara.
Kolek is heading into Year 2 at point guard, and there are already signs that the Knicks see something worth developing. One detail from the offseason stands out. Kolek didn't participate in Summer League, which has been viewed as an indication that the organization has greater confidence in his development. Instead of needing another extended audition, he appears to be moving toward the next stage of his progression.
That doesn't necessarily mean he'll suddenly become one of New York's most important players when the games start. There are veteran ball-handlers in front of him, and earning regular playing time in an NBA rotation is never quite as simple as it looks from the outside.
#knicks
10 days ago
