We so back the Knicks even played basketball yesterday.
It was a Summerbeating at the hands of the Neighbor Nets, but that’s the only place Brooklyn can beat New York these days.
Here’s the latest from Las Vegas.
On Tyler Nickel:
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“I’ve been most impressed with Nickel’s defense.”
On Mohamed Diawara, Pacome Dadiet, and the Summer League opener:
“I think they struggled a little bit. We talk about responding to adversity, we got to respond to adversity. They have to respond to adversity tomorrow. They struggled a little bit. They let little things affect them on the defensive end and then it kind of snowballed. So we got to be better. It’s on those two guys and Dillon Jones and me to be better.”
On the last few weeks after winning the NBA championship:
“I went straight, straight to the gym because I knew that I had some work to do. So, I mean, a little bit of fun, a little bit of break, but right back to work. I got after it like two days after the parade and everything. So, yeah, a lot, a lot of work.”
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On re-signing with the Knicks:
“I had a great season with the Knicks. We just won the title, so I didn’t have anything to do anywhere else. So yeah, for sure, I was happy to be back.”
On how his offseason approach has changed after one NBA season:
“Yeah, a little bit. Now I know that I’m physically going to be more ready, more consistent at the two-point shots. So, yeah, I know that my summer was way different now, but I know a little bit better.”
Clarifying his free agency comments:
“I just said that I wouldn’t have taken up free agency. After the parade, I just really liked the work and was thinking about the Summer League, I didn’t even think about the free agency.”
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On his Summer League performance:
“I got to do way better. I think the level that we take back is, like, a little way better. I can play like I played today, and just be better than last game.”
On Mitchell Robinson’s mentorship:
“He’s a great guy, great player, great person. I enjoyed the run here this season, and I look forward to play against him next year.”
On joining the defending NBA champions:
“Yeah, I mean, it’s crazy, like, how fast everything happens. But, you know, hearing my name, obviously, I was super excited. Obviously, a championship organization. I thought it was perfect. It’s a perfect situation to see what they’re all about and the standard that they hold everybody to in the program. I think that’s perfect to be around.”
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On what the Knicks see in him:
“That’s really hard to say right now. I’m not going to speak on it because I can’t really specify what they see in me, but I’ll let you close out that.”
On entering the Summer League with nerves:
“Of course, yeah. As a kid, you know, you dream about being in the NBA. So this is obviously one of the stepping stones of being in the league. So it’s definitely something—if you didn’t have nerves, you don’t care. So definitely some nerves going through it, but then once you get to playing, it’s a basketball game.”
On whether he models his game after anyone:
“I’ve just been playing for a couple years, I believe. I feel like I’m a mix of some different styles. My size and strength and shooting ability, I feel really comfortable shooting off the move. So, like, a Duncan Robinson, Max Strus, Sam Hauser… but then, I have my own type of, like, just way of being. So it’s kind of like a mix of a lot of people, but also myself.”
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On only mentioning white players as his comps:
“Hey, listen, they got roles in the league, man.”
On whether Friday was the first time he talked to Mikal Bridges and Miles McBride, who attended the game:
“Yeah, it was my first time seeing them being around. They seem like really good dudes, and I’m excited to know them better.”
On choosing No. 55 with the Knicks:
“I’ve also always been five, ever since high school. In college, I had to not be five a couple times just because it was taken. But five has been my number. People back home will call me T-Nick, which is my nickname, but a lot of people call me T-Five. So just five has always been me. So then when 55 was available, I was like, ‘I can’t get five, so 55 is cool.’”
On Tyler Nickel’s Summer League debut:
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“55 got a chop.”
On the similarities between joining the Nets and joining the Knicks:
“There’s definitely similarities for sure. Each [situation] is different. It has its own different challenges. I’m definitely ready to step up to this one. This will be exciting. But it’s definitely similar.
“And for me, I have a lot more experience now than I did when I was that player. So I feel like from a leadership standpoint, I can help a lot more, just being through it and having that experience.”
On his conversations with Nets coach Jordi Fernandez:
“They’re really excited to have me here. Jordi [Fernandez] is really excited. He feels like going into every game, we’ve got a chance to win every single game. To have that confidence from your coach is amazing. … I get to come in and be a leader, show guys how to be a pro.
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“We’re coming in trying to win. It’s as simple as that. However we can help give the younger guys experience and confidence and help them fast-track or whatever it is to contribute to winning basketball, that’s really all that matters. All I care about, at the end of the day, is winning, and I know that’s what those guys care about. If I can help give them that experience, great.”
On his playmaking:
“I really enjoy getting guys going: pushing the pace, kick-aheads, opening the floor, getting to the paint, spraying the basketball. It’s about us building our chemistry, knowing where guys like the ball, what spots they want the ball in, guys understanding me and what I’m looking for. It’s going to be fun.”
On trade rumors and joining Brooklyn:
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“It feels great to be here. It’s a great opportunity. It’s a city I’m already really familiar with; it’s a situation that I’m familiar with. Then, there’s a lot of talent.
“As far as the trade stuff, man, I’m 13 years in, bro. I played in New York already; so you hear that stuff all the time. I’m used to that. It just is what it is. You ride the wave of it. At the end of the day, I’m playing basketball and I’m doing what I love for a living. So, it’s all I ask for.”
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