franco12 wrote:

fishmike wrote:he can dribble anywhere he wants... he's got a great handle, but he's got zero bag. You do not need to guard him and he can't defend anyone. He went to the Frank Ntilikina school of scoring. This is why IQ got minutes as rookie and Tyler sits.

He's 24.

Lets spend the day talking about how Thibs has let him rotting on the bench while overplaying the starters.

Go

I mean, you are right. Outside of manage the offense, orchestrate and make passes creating easy buckets for his team mates, he doesn’t do much.

Yep, allowing teammates to get hot ( Bridges last game) is definitely overrated. Against the Mavs he got a block..., 17 assists to zero turnovers, meh big deal, right?

What Kolek is gonna need to add as he gets more minutes is more of a threat of scoring. He is a gifted passer with elite court vision and runs around the court like he's John Stockton. But teams will overplay his tendencies and he will have to be able to go the basket and finish and also hit an occasional pull up 3 when given space. Nothing that has to happen this year, unless you really feel like we need to give him 15-20 mins of game from now through the playoffs (I don't think we will be doing that).
He had a couple nice finishes, but he's also been blocked more than a few times the last 2 games and hasn't been able to stick his 3s (though the preseason showed and he can stick them - so with work I believe he will). Personally I think last night what I was most impressed with was his defensive positioning and intensity. He is small and not super fast, so will always be limited, but he was in the right place and in people's faces, and did a great job on help and rotating a few times.

What my goal is for him is that he used the opportunity he has right now to earn the backup PG spot next year. Payne is on a 1 yr 3mm deal and Deuce is a wing. Kolek backing up Brunson would save us a lot on roster construction/salary and he absolutely is showing enough signs to earn that for next year. And for a 2nd round pick that is a massive win.

If Deuce is out for longer and Kolek shows the little bit of scoring between now and the end of the year, than I'm open to the case of him playing - but probably over Shamet and not Payne. And then Thibs is going to have to come to terms with going small. But our best players on the bench are Robinson, Deuce, Payne and then Kolek. 3 of those guys are PG size and one of them is a 5. Its not the ideal mix.

VDesai wrote:PArdon me as I will repeat what I just posted on the game thread. "No Bag" might be harsh, but he does need to start bringing a duffle with him to keep people honest.

What Kolek is gonna need to add as he gets more minutes is more of a threat of scoring. He is a gifted passer with elite court vision and runs around the court like he's John Stockton. But teams will overplay his tendencies and he will have to be able to go the basket and finish and also hit an occasional pull up 3 when given space. Nothing that has to happen this year, unless you really feel like we need to give him 15-20 mins of game from now through the playoffs (I don't think we will be doing that).
He had a couple nice finishes, but he's also been blocked more than a few times the last 2 games and hasn't been able to stick his 3s (though the preseason showed and he can stick them - so with work I believe he will). Personally I think last night what I was most impressed with was his defensive positioning and intensity. He is small and not super fast, so will always be limited, but he was in the right place and in people's faces, and did a great job on help and rotating a few times.

What my goal is for him is that he used the opportunity he has right now to earn the backup PG spot next year. Payne is on a 1 yr 3mm deal and Deuce is a wing. Kolek backing up Brunson would save us a lot on roster construction/salary and he absolutely is showing enough signs to earn that for next year. And for a 2nd round pick that is a massive win.

If Deuce is out for longer and Kolek shows the little bit of scoring between now and the end of the year, than I'm open to the case of him playing - but probably over Shamet and not Payne. And then Thibs is going to have to come to terms with going small. But our best players on the bench are Robinson, Deuce, Payne and then Kolek. 3 of those guys are PG size and one of them is a 5. Its not the ideal mix.

fishmike wrote:he can dribble anywhere he wants... he's got a great handle, but he's got zero bag. You do not need to guard him and he can't defend anyone. He went to the Frank Ntilikina school of scoring. This is why IQ got minutes as rookie and Tyler sits.

He's 24.

Lets spend the day talking about how Thibs has let him rotting on the bench while overplaying the starters.

Go

Kolek is a rook and doesn't want to step on anyone's toes by being aggressive scoring imo. Plus it's not his role! I think it's too early to call him a Ntilikina on offense.

Rookie wrote:Next season could be Jokubaitis’s time.

BigDaddyG wrote:

fishmike wrote:

franco12 wrote:

fishmike wrote:he can dribble anywhere he wants... he's got a great handle, but he's got zero bag. You do not need to guard him and he can't defend anyone. He went to the Frank Ntilikina school of scoring. This is why IQ got minutes as rookie and Tyler sits.

He's 24.

Lets spend the day talking about how Thibs has let him rotting on the bench while overplaying the starters.

Go

I mean, you are right. Outside of manage the offense, orchestrate and make passes creating easy buckets for his team mates, he doesn’t do much.

the minus 1 in the box score confirms that

I'm not dying on the Kolek hill, one way or the other,but -1 in such a small sample size isn't worth mentioning. Even if you did take that number seriously, all it suggests is that his impact on the court is pretty much neutral.

Good take. Kolek is John Stocton? Maybe one day, but not close.
Does not want to step on anyones shoes? He likely doing what his coaches are asking him.
Small sample is not conclusive nor has he racked up minutes against quality opponents. Yet.
That he is getting run is Thibs showing confidence in his game. Notion "Thibs is holding him back" might ask ones self "Why?"
If the kid is ready, I think Thib and Co. would have a better sense than us.
If he does start to get his bag and contribute its not "See I told you", its "Thibs got it right". There is no benefit to him or other yoots playing badly.
"How will they learn?"
This is not rec ball, these are paid professionals and this is a good team. outplay the man infront and you get it done. Not easy mid season until an injury occurs.
Thats the nature of the game. Its a tough business.

Kolek has to hit his shots. Maybe his coaches want him doing a few things well before they put more tools in his bag.