Knicks win Second Straight in Vegas

Kolek anticipates movement before it happens and, just as importantly, has the skill/feel to deliver the ball to his teammate in stride.

Final Score: Knicks 91 - Pistons 90
Record: 2-2

It wasn't all that pretty, especially down the stretch when they almost blew another double-digit, but New York hung on Friday night to notch another Summer League victory.

And, once again, the story of the evening was the impressive play of point guard Tyler Kolek. The rookie from Marquette finished the contest with eight points, a game-high seven assists, three rebounds and a steal.

We mentioned it plenty over the past week, but Kolek's court vision is truly impressive. Yes, he makes all the easy, predictable passes that a floor general needs to make. But he also sees angels and alleys that other play-makers aren't capable of recognizing. Kolek anticipates movement before it happens and, just as importantly, has the skill/feel to deliver the ball to his teammate in stride.   

On the Knicks' second offensive possession of the game, he throws a jump pass to Ariel Hukporti for an easy dunk.

A few minutes later, Pacome Dadiet makes a quick backdoor cut and extends his hand. A split-second later, Tyler The Kreator rifles a pass, hitting his fellow rookie in stride and leading him to the rim for a bucket.

Eighty seconds later, Kolek delivered the assist of the summer. Pressured near the top of the key, Tyler uses a push-dribble to beat a double team before gathering under the rim and pirouetting in the air while dishing to Duane Washington Jr. in the corner. The ball somehow lands in Washington's shooting pocket, and he nails the three-pointer.

This all happened within the first six minutes of a summer league game. Beautiful dimes to three different players Kolek had never played with as of this time last week. 

This is not standard stuff. 

As if the passing wasn't enough (Kolek has dished out at least seven assists in every game he's played for New York), the kid took over down the stretch and got his own shot when the Knicks needed buckets (just as he did in Wednesday's win over the Kings).  

With under two minutes left in regulation and the Knicks up by just one point, Kolek drilled a mid-ranger (after Dmytro Skapintsev cleared some space with a bone-crunching screen). On New York's next possession, Kolek penetrated into the paint before finding room on the baseline and dropping a floater for New York's final points. 

"Ice in his veins!" play-by-play broadcaster Michael Grady shouted after the shot dropped.  

Leon Rose and Walt Perrin found an absolute steal in the second round. Knicks fans are gonna love this kid. 

The other Knick that has opened eyes this week has been big man Dmytro Skapintsev, who stuffed the stat sheet on Friday night. Despite logging just 21 minutes off the bench, he racked up a team-high 17 points, a team-high ten rebounds (including five on the offensive end), two assists and a team-high three blocks. He shot 6-of-10 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw stripe.