Knicks' Tyler Kolek is the second coming of 'Linsanity'

Jeremy Lin has been flattened by time into a highlight reel and the "Linsanity" catchphrase, but the myth omits the context that made it happen. Jeremy Lin didn't emerge in a vacuum. The New York Knicks, and the city of New York, are where roses grow from concrete. So it makes sense, a decade later, Tyler Kolek is the next to bloom in Madison Square Garden.

Back in 2012, Carmelo Anthony was sidelined with an injury. Amar’e Stoudemire's star was fading. Kobe Bryant admitted he did not know who Lin was. And straight off crashing on teammate Landry Fields' couch and in his first start, the Harvard graduate and undrafted point guard matched up with Deron Williams, then widely considered the best point guard in basketball, and dismantled him possession by possession. By the end of the month, a star was born. 

A little more than a decade later, the conditions feel familiar.

An unlikely bet 

Like Lin, Kolek's athleticism isn't explosive. Executive Leon Rose traded a total of four second-round picks on the 2024 draft night for Kolek, just for him to be buried on the bench last season under ex-coach Tom Thibodeau. The fan base was split on Kolek in Year 1, some saw another undersized, unathletic guard who is a cone on defense. Even though the shot wasn't falling, his playmaking appeared ahead of the curve. 

Kolek’s emergence had been building all season. In their recent loss against Minnesota, his learning curve continues with first-year head coach Mike Brown. Down at halftime to the Timberwolves, Kolek had taken 10 shots and made three. Brown confronted him directly, telling him that volume without efficiency wouldn't be tolerated. It's a moment that can shrink young players.

Kolek responded.

He finished that game with 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. More importantly, he stayed aggressive without becoming reckless. It was a table setter for the Christmas game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

The possession that lit the fire 

Down 17 in the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden, Cleveland’s entire late-game scheme was built around taking Jalen Brunson away. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Sam Merrill formed a wall at the point of attack, forcing Brunson to dribble east and west while Evan Mobley cheated toward the lane. On one critical possession, Kolek raised his hands at the top of the floor, testing whether Mitchell would treat him as a threat. When Mitchell briefly shaded toward him and then recommitted to Brunson, Kolek made the decision instantly. No reset. No hesitation. He was already in his shooting stance when the pass arrived and buried the catch-and-shoot three. Bang!