Ever since his Knicks debut in Detroit during the 2020 preseason, rookie point guard Immanuel Quickley has captured the heart of Knick fans. His combination of tenacity, basketball IQ, poise and confidence have left fans enamored and wanting more.
In fact, Quickley played so well in the preseason that Knick fans began to storm the streets demanding IQ should become the starting point guard opening night. Though that did not happen, Quickley has already proven himself to be an essential part of this Knicks roster on the court but also in building the culture that has long alluded the Mecca.
The last time the New York Knicks drafted a point guard was 2017. He quickly (no pun intended) became one of the most polarizing, divisive and debated players in the franchise’s recent history. Till this day, any tweet containing simply the name or mention of Frank Ntilikina is guaranteed to take over Knicks Twitter as the Frank Hive battles 90’s R&B Twitter in the replies. Frank fans admire his defensive prowess, his unselfish style of play and the potential he holds as a shooter. Meanwhile, Frank haters despise his lack of assertiveness, the inconsistency of his jump shot and his overall lack of production over his first three NBA seasons.
A big reason for this variation of opinion regarding Frankie Smokes is the business of the NBA itself. With a lottery pick, more specifically a top-10 pick, comes high expectations. While that is all outside the control of the player, it has a major impact on how their game and development is evaluated by front offices and fans alike.
Fast-forward to 2020 and one of the most unique NBA drafts in recent memory. After being deprived of Knicks basketball for months, every Knick fan with a Twitter account became a verified NBA scout. Everyone had their own big board mapped out, even venturing late into the first round with the Knicks possessing the Clippers 2020 1st rounder (thanks again Mook). After some maneuvering on draft night, the Knicks settled in with the 25th pick. With many Knicks fans already unhappy with the selection of Obi Toppin with the 8th overall pick, attention soon shifted to the Knicks other first rounder.
As the board began to develop, Knicks fans began clamoring for some of the favorite prospects of Draft Twitter like Desmond Bane, Tyrell Terry, Malachi Flynn and others. However, the Knicks had a different vision as they honed in on Immanuel Quickley, the sophomore out of Kentucky. While many pundits respected Quickley’s elite shooting ability, they felt as though Immanuel would have been available well into the 2nd round. They viewed him as an undersized shooting guard, possibly a combo guard who was not worthy of a first round selection.
Despite these claims, Quickley’s selection was not too highly debated. Regardless, it is definitely safe to say not too much was expected of him heading into his first NBA season. Fans were eager to see what he could do as a shooter but they never imagined how soon he would find a home in Thibs’ rotation. After just five appearances in a New York Knicks uniform, Immanuel has quickly changed that narrative. In fact, there have even been whispers (including from yours truly) that the Knicks may have found themselves one of steals of the draft and their point guard of the future all-in-one.
In the Knicks season opener on the road against the Pacers on December 23rd, Quickley played well as the first guard off the bench before exiting with a hip pointer that would sideline him for the next four games. During this stretch, it became glaringly obvious that the Knicks desperately needed Quickley back as soon as possible. On the offensive end, Quickley already looks the part of an NBA point guard. As an elite shooter, he keeps defenses honest thus allowing him to use his speed and pacing to break down the defense. Once getting into the lane, he displays his fantastic touch as he has a plethora of different floaters in his bag.
Even five games into his NBA career, IQ has appeared to have mastered the art of drawing fouls and getting himself to the line where he shoots above 90%. However, what has surprised many fans is his ability to create for others while carving up defenses. With confidence and composure, Quickley is always ready to swing a skip pass to the corner or to toss a lob to a big rolling to the paint therefore making him an all around threat with the ball in his hand. Defensively, Quickley is more than willing to pick up the opposing ball handler 94 feet, get into his body and fight over screens to stay attached to his man.
However, one could argue the most impressive thing about Immanuel Quickley has been his maturity and confidence as a rookie. Knicks legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier worried that handing him the keys too early would put too much pressure on the kid, however, that does not appear to be the case. Though it is a small sample size, IQ never appears to be in a hurry or rattled which is rare for a rookie point guard. When he’s running the show, the Knicks offense has the pace, floor spacing and continuity that fans have been starving for.
His energy radiates the moment he touches the court and he consistently gives his unit a massive spark. For these reasons, head coach Tom Thibodeau continues to speak glowingly of the man he nicknamed, “Quick.” Thibs has spoken so fondly of Quickley that many fans anticipate it will not be long before he earns the starting nod. In fact, such a move would make a lot of sense as it would address the lack of floor spacing and consistency of play that Elfrid Payton and Dennis Smith Jr. provide.
Yet, just when it seemed as though the hype surrounding Immanuel Quickley could not get much greater, the rookie once again staked his claim as the Knicks starting point guard. In the final half of a four game road trip, the Knicks found themselves down 15 to the new-look Atlanta Hawks. The offense had become stagnant and from a fan’s perspective, it felt as though the Knicks had let the game slip away. While Payton had a solid first half, the usually pass first Elf began to force the issue finishing the night 6-18 from the field.
The Knicks desperately needed a spark and Quickley was up for the challenge. As soon as IQ checked in, the entire game shifted and the Knicks never looked back. By the end of the third quarter, the Knicks had cut the Hawks lead to four after several big threes from both Quickley and Kevin Knox. Heading into the fourth, every Knicks fan was clamoring for 12 straight minutes of Immanuel Quickley. This was IQ’s game to close and he left zero doubt in Thibs’ mind.
In the fourth quarter, the backcourt of Quickley and Rivers (AKA Quivers) showed why they have instantly became fan favorites. Both guards made massive, game changing defensive plays against the offensive juggernaut and pest that is Trae Young. On the offensive end, both members of Quivers knocked down a massive three pointer respectively and had the ball moving to find great shots. However, Quickley once again stole the show with his veteran savvy and basketball IQ only three games into his NBA career. After being frustrated by calls against him while defending Trae Young, Quickley returned the favor by baiting Young into a shooting foul from beyond the arc. In fact, there was a stretch where the Knicks scored five straight points simply on IQ free throws.
Quickley continued to make all the right reads down the stretch as Thibs’ put his faith in the rookie and the Knicks battled back for a 113-108 win. Though it has been said a million times and will likely continue to be stated, Immanuel Quickley does not look scared of any moment. Three games into his NBA career, Quick’s basketball intelligence has been on full display as he further solidifies himself as not only the Knicks’ best option at point guard but also as the steal of the draft. Quickley ended the night with 16 points on 4-7 shooting in just 19 minutes of action giving Thibs a lot to think about on the plane ride home.
With the Knicks off to an auspicious 4-3 start to the season and winning four out of their last five, the vibes surrounding the franchise are as positive as they have been in years. With Thibs in charge, there is finally a level of competence, accountability and seriousness that has long evaded the Knicks. His intensity lays the groundwork for the illusive buzzword, “culture,” that the franchise has been trying to develop. However, it will take more than Thibs’ raspy yelling to build said foundation.
As Quickley, Austin Rivers and Julius Randle have recently alluded to, this iteration of the Knicks are a tight-nit, hardworking group focused on improving every single day. While it is too early to determine where this so far, feel good season will lead our Knicks – one thing is for certain. Having players with the intangibles and work ethic that Immanuel Quickley displays is how organizations become winners. His impact on team success at such a young age is not only enamoring but contagious as he has quickly solidified himself as a key piece of the Knicks future.
CP and J. Ellis went live after the Knicks’ big win against the Atlanta Hawks and took live caller reactions from fans around the world. Check it out J Boogie’s reaction to the game below.
