New Knicks owner Derrick Rose has already sat down for dinner Monday night at the team’s hotel in Miami to chat with his two newcomers – Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin.
“He just stressed out to me – first of all, he gave me his number – he said anything I need, just hit him,” said Quickley at Zoom after Tuesday’s photo shoot. “But he sat with me for a while, Obi and I actually just told us that he’s here to help us, he’s here to help us grow and things like that. It’s nice to have a chance to talk to him a bit last night. “
Quickley and veteran Rose have one thing in common – they shared the same coach at college in John Calipari.
Now Rose, who played for “Cal” in Memphis, and Quickley will fight for Tom Thibodeau’s affection while the Knicks bring Rose to the squad.
Quickley said he did not think Rose would debut on Tuesday against the Heat, but added that he was not 100 percent sure.
Since Sunday’s Super Bowl exchange with Detroit, social media has erupted with concerns that Rose’s arrival would steal minutes from Quickley, a fan favorite who averages 18 minutes a night. Rose is expected to leave the bank.
However, Quickley was quick to say that he “admires” Rose, he will learn from the 2011 MVP and that they are versatile enough to play together on the same backcourt.
“We both played for the same coach in college. So, we shared some similar experiences there, playing for a tough-minded coach, ”said Quickley. “And then we have the debut year for Coach Thibs. So many similarities. I have a chance to choose your brain, something I like to do is ask a lot of questions and take notes and feedback and all that stuff. So it must be good. “
It was not said that this could be a competition for Quickley, 21, to fully spread his wings, considering that Thibodeau pushed for the switch. Thibodeau trained Rose in Chicago and Minnesota, and they have a special relationship.
“I have no idea how this is going to work,” said Quickley. “I’m going to let the coaches take care of all that. But as far as I’m concerned, I know I’m a versatile player. This is something that I emphasized before the draft, that I can play with or without the ball. So, being able to be that kind of player, I can fit into any system anyway. “I think he is also a versatile player, just by watching him play. He can shoot him, get on the track and create. And then in defense, I feel that we can also defend. So, being versatile players on and off the ball, I feel that this gives us an advantage ”.
Quickley was 11 when Rose won the MVP award with Thibodeau as her coach. Rose, who was not released to the media, said in a Knicks video that he is here to “help young players”.
Quickley hopes this will happen and enjoyed the first conversation with Rose.
“A 13-year veteran in the league, at any time you can have the chance to take the brain of someone who has gone through almost everything – playoffs, everything, even MVP. It’s always a good chance to learn from someone who has experience, ”said Quickley. “This is the best teacher, when it comes to taking everything he knows about the game in his brain. It is something I am looking forward to doing ”.
Selected on November 25 after being designed as a runoff choice, Quickley has been the Knicks’ biggest revelation following Julius Randle’s All-Star campaign. He left Kentucky with the concern that he might be an undersized shooting guard.
The Knicks are impressed, but they still don’t consider Quickley to be a complete point guard because of his playing skills.
Known for his long floater and Stephen Curry 3s, Quickley averages 12 points and shoots 36.3 percent on 3-point land and 93 percent on the free-throw line.
“They think that when I’m at my best, I’m aggressive, trying to score first and then create for my teammates too,” said Quickley.
Rose was not released to the media because Dennis Smith Jr., involved in the trade, had not yet taken his physical exam to the Pistons.