There are no lovers of the Pacers’ former Knicks-killer Reggie Miller in these parts, but the club’s newest addition, Kris Wilkes, makes for one. Wilkes, the 6-foot-8 swingman sniper who signed a two-way free-agent contract with the Knicks after he went undrafted, grew up in Indianapolis idolizing Miller. He patterned his game after Miller’s and, like Miller, attended UCLA. Wilkes, no relation to UCLA legend Jamaal Wilkes, gained insight into Miller’s modus operandi from his father, Greg, an Indianapolis police officer often assigned to the Pacers’ home arena, which also doubles as their practice facility. Wilkes’ father would tell his son about Miller being the first player to show up to the arena, the last to leave. “He had an infatuation with Reggie and honed part of his game,’’ said former UCLA assistant Murry Bartow, promoted to Bruins head coach in December after Steve Alford was fired. “It’s one of the factors that led him to L.A. and UCLA.’’ The Knicks are getting a scorer in Wilkes, a sophomore who averaged 17.4 points on 43.3 percent shooting. Bartow can’t help but compare Wilkes’ best attribute to what partly made the 3-point ace Miller a legend. see also The Knicks' secret negotiating weapon for Kawhi Leonard When the Knicks meet with free agent Kawhi Leonard in... “He can really, really move without the ball,’’ Bartow said. “He’s a tremendous mover, cutter like his hero growing up. He’s got an incredible ability to move without the ball, to cut and come off screens and make shots.” Bartow admitted “surprise’’ that Wilkes went undrafted. When NBA scouts visited UCLA, they had pegged him a mid-second-rounder. According to sources, Wilkes would have been taken late in the second round but those teams were interested only in a two-way contract. Wilkes’ reps asked if he could pass through the draft and be able to pick his spot as a free agent. The hope is the Knicks have found another Allonzo Trier, who went undrafted, signed a two-way deal with the team and played his way onto the 15-man roster by December with a full NBA contract. Under current terms, Wilkes is permitted on the Knicks roster for just 45 days — the G-League Westchester Knicks for the rest. Wilkes will debut next week at the Las Vegas summer league “He’s still young, but I’d be surprised if he doesn’t have a long career in the NBA,’’ said Bartow, let go by UCLA after the season. “I had a lot of conversations with him: Should he come out or come back another year? He was ready to go.’’ see also Knicks legend shows support for Kevin Durant This could be a Knicks blessing — or curse. Charles... Wilkes’ stock wasn’t higher because of his lax defense, and he was turnover-prone. Bartow said he wished Wilkes was more active with deflections, and steals, “getting his hands on more balls.” “He’s an average defender,’’ Bartow said. “It’s something to continue to build on. Late in the year he was developing becoming a better defender. He’s got the ability. Bu
The ‘tremendous’ skills that make Kris Wilkes a potential Knicks steal
There are no lovers of the Pacers’ former Knicks-killer Reggie Miller in these parts, but the club’s newest addition, Kris Wilkes, makes for one. Wilkes, the 6-foot-8 swingman sniper who signed a two-way free-agent contract with the Knicks after he went undrafted, grew up in Indianapolis idolizing Miller. He patterned his game after Miller’s and, like Miller, attended UCLA. Wilkes, no relation to UCLA legend Jamaal Wilkes, gained insight into Miller’s modus operandi from his father, Greg, an Indianapolis police officer often assigned to the Pacers’ home arena, which also doubles as their practice facility. Wilkes’ father would tell his son about Miller being the first player to show up to the arena, the last to leave. “He had an infatuation with Reggie and honed part of his game,’’ said former UCLA assistant Murry Bartow, promoted to Bruins head coach in December after Steve Alford was fired. “It’s one of the factors that led him to L.A. and UCLA.’’ The Knicks are getting a scorer in Wilkes, a sophomore who averaged 17.4 points on 43.3 percent shooting. Bartow can’t help but compare Wilkes’ best attribute to what partly made the 3-point ace Miller a legend. see also The Knicks' secret negotiating weapon for Kawhi Leonard When the Knicks meet with free agent Kawhi Leonard in... “He can really, really move without the ball,’’ Bartow said. “He’s a tremendous mover, cutter like his hero growing up. He’s got an incredible ability to move without the ball, to cut and come off screens and make shots.” Bartow admitted “surprise’’ that Wilkes went undrafted. When NBA scouts visited UCLA, they had pegged him a mid-second-rounder. According to sources, Wilkes would have been taken late in the second round but those teams were interested only in a two-way contract. Wilkes’ reps asked if he could pass through the draft and be able to pick his spot as a free agent. The hope is the Knicks have found another Allonzo Trier, who went undrafted, signed a two-way deal with the team and played his way onto the 15-man roster by December with a full NBA contract. Under current terms, Wilkes is permitted on the Knicks roster for just 45 days — the G-League Westchester Knicks for the rest. Wilkes will debut next week at the Las Vegas summer league “He’s still young, but I’d be surprised if he doesn’t have a long career in the NBA,’’ said Bartow, let go by UCLA after the season. “I had a lot of conversations with him: Should he come out or come back another year? He was ready to go.’’ see also Knicks legend shows support for Kevin Durant This could be a Knicks blessing — or curse. Charles... Wilkes’ stock wasn’t higher because of his lax defense, and he was turnover-prone. Bartow said he wished Wilkes was more active with deflections, and steals, “getting his hands on more balls.” “He’s an average defender,’’ Bartow said. “It’s something to continue to build on. Late in the year he was developing becoming a better defender. He’s got the ability. Bu
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