Tyler Kolek isn’t making any predictions or declarations about cracking a crowded championship backcourt. As he said Saturday, the goal is just “every day be consistent.”
But the third-year Knicks guard also understands he needs to be more aggressive when given the opportunity.
“Early on in the season, I was finishing at a high level. And then later on in the year, I was getting in there, maybe I was looking a little too passive,” Kolek said Saturday. “So just looking for my shot, being more aggressive in the paint, and then that opens everything else up. Having the defense collapse, and then finding sprays for our guys.”
Kolek enjoyed success and acclaim during a brief foray in the Knicks rotation last season, when injuries to Miles McBride and Landry Shamet left him as Jalen Brunson’s first backup.
Kolek shined in December — including during the NBA Cup championship run — and quickly evolved into a fan favorite.
But the 25-year-old also was out of the rotation after Jose Alvarado’s arrival at the February trade deadline.
With Alvarado, Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Shamet, McBride and Jordan Clarkson all returning, Kolek faces another uphill battle for consistent playing time.
But injuries or trades happen every season, and Kolek will have a chance to impress in the preseason starting Oct. 5 in Philadelphia. He also has the ideal archetypal teammate to study as an undersized point guard.
New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek drives to the basket during Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers on May 4, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“Obviously, Jalen is amazing in the midrange, amazing with floaters, finishing at the rim,” Kolek said. “So taking that aspect of the game as a smaller guard — I need to be really efficient in the paint and around the rim. And that’ll open everything else for us.”
In the meantime, Kolek is enjoying the waning days of a championship offseason. In and around New York City, the players still are being treated like kings. Proof of Kolek’s popularity was displayed Saturday at a FlexWork Sports camp at the House of Sports in Ardsley, N.Y., where youngsters mobbed the point guard on the court.
Kolek, like his teammates, warned against turning the adulation into complacency, which might be more difficult on ring night for the Oct. 20 regular-season opener.
“The first game will feel like a great celebration. But internally we got to block out what the fans are thinking and everything that the media is going to say,” Kolek said. “Even though we may not be picked to be the favorites, New York fans are still going to say we’re the champs and we should run it back, we should win again. But we got to stay locked in. … At this stage, though, we shouldn’t have to be motivated. We’re champions. We know what it looks like. And we’re not just satisfied with one.”
New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek puts up a three-point shot in the first half at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York on Feb. 4, 2026. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
Plus, the Eastern Conference got tougher with expected improvement from Philadelphia, Miami, Indiana, Orlando and Toronto — not to mention the potential contenders in Detroit, Boston and Cleveland.
“It happens every year in the NBA. The Thunder won the year before; everybody loads up to try to beat the Thunder. We win, [and the same thing happens],” Kolek said. “It happens every single year. It’s a copycat league. Teams are trying to beat the best and compete with the best. So they do what they can.”
And Kolek believes he’s also improved for Year 3.
“There’s definitely a lot left,” he said.
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