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‘Precocious neophyte’: New York Knicks legend Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier likes rookie Tyler Kolek

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‘Precocious neophyte’: New York Knicks legend Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier likes rookie Tyler Kolek

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To steal one of Walt “Clyde” Frazier’s euphonious pronouncements on New York Knicks broadcasts, rookie point guard Tyler Kolek is a “precocious neophyte.”

The former Marquette star hasn’t cracked the playing rotation yet, but getting a stamp of approval from the legendary Frazier means something.

Frazier was the toast of the town in New York and the epitome of cool when he helped the Knicks win NBA titles in 1970 and 1973. He’s since become a beloved TV presence with his flamboyant attire and colorful phrasing. Stylin’ and profilin’, he would say.

Tyler Kolek learning to play for Tom Thibodeau

It should come as no surprise that Frazier likes a little personality in his point guards.

Kolek, as MU fans know, has plenty of that. But he’s still learning what it takes to play in the NBA and might not see the court when the Knicks host the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night at Madison Square Garden, though he has appeared in New York’s previous two games with Cam Payne nursing a hamstring injury.

“Tyler is a real team player, a pass-first guard that I really like,” Frazier told the Journal Sentinel. ” And he has a great mentor in Jalen Brunson.”

The 6-foot-1 guard − Frazier would call him “Lilliputian” − showed his passing savvy in the NBA summer league and in the preseason. But the Knicks are contenders in the Eastern Conference, and head coach Tom Thibodeau tends to rely on veterans, so Kolek has to bide his time.

“Besides the fact that he went to Marquette, I like Tyler a lot,” Brunson told the New York Post in the preseason. “That’s my guy. I’m not surprised with the way he’s been playing. Just watching him since being here, working on his game every day being in the gym. You put the work in, the results are going to show.”

Walt Frazier fondly remembers Dean Meminger

Frazier has some history with MU point guards.

The legendary Dean Meminger was picked by the Knicks at No. 16 in the 1971 draft and became Frazier’s backup.

“Dean the Dream!” Frazier said. “I remember his hustle and tenacity. Dean was always in great shape. I remember we’d have to run a 6-minute mile in training camp, and Dean always finished first.” 

More: The Dream, bumblebees and Garden glory: An oral history of Marquette’s 1970 NIT championship run

Meminger could be a history lesson for Kolek.

Meminger didn’t play much at the start of his rookie season, but showed flashes when called upon. Meminger had 29 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in his fifth NBA game when Frazier was out with an injury.

“Dean Meminger was quicker than 11:15 Mass at a seaside resort,” former MU coach Al McGuire liked to say. 

Meminger also entered Knicks lore when he came off the bench to spark the Knicks in Game 7 of the 1973 Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics.

But drug problems derailed Meminger’s NBA career, which ended after a second stint with the Knicks in the 1976-77 season. He died in 2013.

Walt Frazier beat Al McGuire and Marquette in the 1967 NIT final

One of the early highlights of Frazier’s own playing career came against MU in the 1967 National Invitation Tournament final at Madison Square Garden.

Frazier helped Southern Illinois rally from a 34-23 deficit at halftime and vexed the then-Warriors with 21 points and 11 rebounds. He was named the NIT MVP.

“We were young and the underdogs, and all the media spotlight was on Marquette and Al McGuire,” Frazier said. “At the time, the NIT tournament was just as big as the NCAA Tournament … and more of a spotlight being in New York City.”

“That tournament really put me on the map, and I was drafted shortly thereafter by the Knicks.” 

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