New York Knicks: 5 players Mindaugas Kuzminskas should study

1. Toni Kukoc

Mindaugas Kuzminskas has made it public knowledge that Toni Kukoc is his idol. Thus, while it’s fair to believe that someone else on this list could be the No. 1 player he should study, there’s rarely anyone better to emulate than one’s basketball deity.

Kukoc was one of the most well-rounded forwards in NBA history, and Kuzminskas is rightfully aiming to achieve a similar level of versatility.

Over the course of his 13-year NBA career, Kukoc won three championships and the 1996 Sixth Man of the Year award. His contributions spanned the entirety of the box score, and often ranged beyond statistics in the way he became a focal point of the opposing defense’s game plan.

When asked why he idolized Kukoc, Kuzminskas provided an answer that’s telling of his intentions as a player. Per the NBPA:

"My idol is Toni Kukoc because he did everything on the court, playing all the positions."

If Kuzminskas reaches a point where he can contribute in every phase and play multiple positions, then the New York Knicks will have a matchup nightmare on their hands.

What Kukoc did best was create a measure of unpredictability when he took the floor. He wasn’t the featured scorer or playmaker for the Chicago Bulls, but he was an outstanding passer, a solid shooter, a skilled post player, and a capable slasher who could do anything at any time.

Kuzminskas aims to be able to play a similar role in the NBA, which makes his idol the perfect player to study.

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Mindaugas Kuzminskas will have a chance to secure a significant role with the New York Knicks in 2017-18. Studying these five players could help him do so.