Sacramento Kings big man Richaun Holmes is now playing in his fifth NBA season, and after three years in the Eastern Conference with the Sixers, he's gotten to know the New York basketball scene pretty well.
On Thursday, Holmes caught up with SNY Insider Ian Begley to talk New York hoops.
The Kings are in town to take on the Nets on Friday night, and Holmes believes the Nets present a tough challenge.
"Brooklyn, they're a hard-nosed group, a very hard-nosed group. They play hard every night," Holmes told Begley. "They've got guys like (Spencer) Dinwiddie that can create, Jarrett Allen does a great job of protecting the rim, so we're going to have to stick to our game plan, and it's going to be a tough game. They're a very gritty group, so I'm looking forward to it."
Holmes, an energetic frountcourt player over the course of his career, is also a fan of fellow big man Jarrett Allen.
"Man, he's very long, he gets off his feet quick, he's very good as a roll man, and he's able to finish down there," said Holmes. "He rebounds and he protects the rim, so he plays very well for this team and he fills his role very well, and he's going to be great in this league."
As for the Knicks, a team the Kings beat 113-92 earlier this season and will see again on December 13, the Holmes sees the group coming together well.
"I think they're tough," said Holmes. "They have a lot of pride and they're just trying to find their way. A lot of new pieces they added … but they're coming together a little bit I think, and they have a lot of great pieces there. Julius Randle is very tough, Frank Ntilikina is playing really well, so I think they're coming along and it's going to be a tough game when we see them too. (There's) nothing like here in New York."
Meanwhile, the play of rookie RJ Barrett has not gone unnoticed by the fifth-year veteran.
"Man, he's strong. To be 19, he's strong," said Holmes. "NBA body, NBA ready. He's going to be a great player in this league as well. Coming in as a rookie, I think the game might be a little fast for him, but he's going to be great."