The Knicks battled back from 15-point deficit in a two-point game in the Las Vegas Summer League opener against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, and with seven seconds left in the fourth quarter, they had a chance to send the game to overtime. Or hit three to win.
Knicks Summer League head coach Dais Yoshimoto devised an excellent inbounds play from under the Knicks’ own basket, with two players curling towards the rim as decoys, before high-flyer Jacob Toppin made a shot to the basket. Right down there created separation from Hornets star Brandon Miller.
Damien Baugh threw a pass, Toppin caught it in mid-air, then missed a layup just short as the Hornets recovered the ball, then put the Knicks away in a 94–90 loss at the Thomas & Mack Center. Went to the foul line. on Saturday.
Here are some excerpts from the Knicks’ Summer League opener:
Tyler Kolek is instantly an NBA-level backup point guard
The Knicks selected Kolek with the 34th overall pick in the June NBA Draft, and it’s clear the Marquette product fills the team’s need in the backcourt.
Kolek is a prototypical floor general who showed great ball control and composure while performing offensively as the starting Knicks point guard for the Summer League opener against the Hornets.
He nearly tripled with nine points, seven rebounds and a team-high seven assists, and knocked down a key corner three at the 6:43 mark of the fourth quarter to bring the Knicks back within four.
Kolek excelled in handling the pick-and-roll and often beat his man to the open shooter or cutter.
It’s easy to see how he fits into the rotation as the backup point guard behind Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride. In fact, Kolek could take on more backup ball-handling responsibilities and allow McBride to serve as a floor-spacer and point-of-attack defender for the second unit.
Kolek also forced his way to the line and made both free throws with less than 12 seconds left in the fourth quarter to make it a two-point game.
He could soon make a case for some minutes once he arrives at the Knicks’ training camp in September.
Ariel Hookport has the tools to become a serviceable big man
The Knicks took the German-Togolese big man with the 58th and final selection of the June draft, and Houkporti looks like a player who can be developed into a serviceable big man in the coming years.
The 7-foot center showed great touch around the rim and the ability to make quick play decisions when the defense collapsed on him in the paint.
He finished with six points, five rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes and 36 seconds, splitting time at the five with Westchester Knicks big man Dmytro Skapintsev, who finished with nine points, seven rebounds, two assists and one block. Happened, but blew a layup uncontested with 3:41 remaining in the fourth quarter. A made bucket would have brought the Knicks within four, but instead, the Hornets capitalized to make it an eight-point game.
The Knicks took Skapintsev out after the miss and opted to play small ball to finish the game.
Pacom daddiet may require some time
The Knicks selected 18-year-old Frenchman Dadiet with the 25th overall selection in the June NBA Draft. He struggled from the field in Saturday’s loss to the Hornets, making two of eight shots from the field and missing all three of his attempts from downtown to finish with five points, five rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes on the floor.
Dadiet is a 6-foot-8 jumper who said Kevin Durant was his biggest basketball inspiration. The Knicks hope they can develop him like the current Phoenix Suns star scorer.
Duane Washington Jr. should be on an NBA roster
Washington Jr. finished with a game-high 26 points on 8 of 18 shooting from the field. He made four of eight shots from downtown and made six of his eight attempts at the foul line.
Julius Randle praised Washington’s leadership after the Knicks training camp in Charleston, S.C., last season. The Knicks waived Washington, but he may remain on another team’s roster this upcoming season.
Originally published:
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