The Knicks finally woke up from their month-long title-winning dream on Monday, and what better way to do it than knocking off Motown in Las Vegas? It’s Summer League out in Sin City, and while some might be cruising, others are laser-focused on what it takes to actually win.
Dadiet’s Third-Year Grind and What it Takes to Level Up
Pacome Dadiet, heading into his third NBA season, isn't pulling any punches about what he needs to improve. He's all in, saying he needs to buckle down and get "more efficient at the 3-point line and play harder." You gotta respect that kind of self-awareness. After two years, he's finally got "a better feeling of what the expectations are," which is huge for a young player trying to stick. He's putting that into his workouts, figuring out when to hit the gym hard and when to rest up. This isn't just about scoring; Dadiet knows the game is bigger than that, aiming to be "somebody who can make shots, [make] open shots, play defense." He’s even been watching Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby a ton, learning how important playing off the ball is to their schemes. That's a smart kid right there, trying to improve his fit with the team's system.Two-Time Champ Dillon Jones Sees the "Invisible Things"
Then there's Dillon Jones, a two-time NBA champ, hitting his third Summer League. This dude brings that veteran, winner's mentality, plain and simple. He's not just out there for himself; he wants to "push the team as much as I can, make the others around me better as much as I can." He says the game "slows down a little bit" for him now, which is exactly what you want to hear from an experienced guy. Jones is all about the "invisible things that you see happen in the championship run and things that lead to playoff basketball." That's the good stuff, the gritty details that don't always show up in a box score but are absolutely vital. Jones isn't just talking about himself, though. He’s hyping up Jack Kayil, calling him a "very talented kid. Super gifted." What really sticks out for Jones is how Kayil, despite not being available early in Summer League, "knew what was going on, he understood what was going on" when he finally joined the squad. Jones thinks that speaks volumes about Kayil's upbringing and coming up in Europe, and he’s convinced Kayil has "a bright future." Plus, Dillon Jones even shared that Mike Brown actually sought out his advice during the NBA Finals, which just shows how much respect a coach has for Jones's basketball IQ. It's early days in Summer League, but with veterans like Jones bringing championship wisdom and young guns like Dadiet and Kayil hungry to prove themselves, the Knicks definitely have some interesting storylines brewing as they continue to play.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.