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New York Knicks: 5 players Mindaugas Kuzminskas should study

By Maxwell Ogden

AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 11: Mindaugas Kuzminskas #91 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 11, 2017 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 11: Mindaugas Kuzminskas #91 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 11, 2017 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON – 1974: Phil Jackson #19 of the New York Knicks shoots over Paul Silas #35 of the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1974 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Copyright 1974 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON – 1974: Phil Jackson #19 of the New York Knicks shoots over Paul Silas #35 of the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1974 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Copyright 1974 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Phil Jackson

Reading Phil Jackson’s name likely elicits feelings of frustration over his tenure as team president of the New York Knicks. If you check that anger, however, you’ll either remember or come to learn that Jackson was a super sub for one of the only two Knicks teams to win an NBA championship.

With a similar build and a role that could end up being quite similar to Jackson’s, Mindaugas Kuzminskas should spend time watching film of his former team president.

The name of Jackson’s game was tenacity, with an incomparable level of toughness bleeding through. Despite undergoing spinal fusion surgery that forced him to miss the 1969-70 season, he routinely took charges, set screens, and threw caution to the wind when crashing the boards.

Kuzminskas has a similar level of toughness in him, and could thus fill that multifaceted role on both ends of the floor.

With the advantage of a consistent three-point shot, Kuzminskas can take less punishment en route to his success. Jackson can set a strong example for what’s needed out of a supporting player, however, as intensity simply can’t waver amongst those who complement the stars.

If Kuzminskas is going to become the Knicks’ next super sub, then Jackson is the type of player whom he should attempt to emulate.

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