Knicks may have the best young core in the entire league right now
Knicks fans… you have suffered quite a bit over the years, but there is a lot to be excited about! Not only did New York make the playoffs this past season, led by Most Improved Player Julius Randle, but their roster is loaded with high-potential, young talent.
All four of their draft picks from this year are on their Summer League roster, but all eyes have been on the likes of Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin the last two days. On Sunday, the two of these guys combined for 39 points on 15-38 shooting and on Monday, they again were the leading scorers of the Knicks, combining for 54 points this time on 19-41 shooting.
Starting with Toppin, he really has come a long way since being drafted 8th overall last year. Coming into the league, Obi Toppin was viewed as a highly athletic forward who struggled to to use his size to his advantage and make plays for not only himself, but for others, but through two days in NBA Summer League, he has proven that he has worked hard on his game.
At times, Toppin has been the main facilitator on the court for New York and the most impressive part of his game that has stood out to me is the fact that he looks comfortable on the perimeter. He shot 26-85 (30.6%) from deep during the 2020-21 season and so far in Summer League he is only 5-16 (31.3%), but he is not afraid to take the shots he has seen go in before.
READ MORE: 2021 NBA Summer League Day 1 Review & Headlines
Aside from offense, Toppin has been fairly reliable on defense as well and has been a big contributor on the glass, grabbing a total of 17 rebounds through his first two games in NBA Summer League. It will be interesting to see if his minutes increase next season, but it is hard not to say that he has been one of the best performers so far through two days.
Immanuel Quickley has also been spectacular for the Knicks and he scored 32 points against the Pacers on Monday! Quickley went 4-12 from deep, but time and time again, he utilized his brilliant pump-fake to get his defenders in the air and then get to his spots in the lane where he would hit one of his signature floaters.
READ MORE: 2021 NBA Summer League Day 1 Review & Headlines
Perhaps the best part about Quickley’s game though is that he has been a terrific playmaker for the Knicks through two games. He recorded 8 assists in each game so far and when they are not playing through Toppin, the Knicks have been playing through their young guard.
Both Toppin and Quickley are the future for the Knicks and alongside them, Miles McBride, Quentin Grimes and Jericho Sims have all looked really solid in their debuts. There is a lot to be happy about if you are a Knicks fan right now and these last two draft classes they have brought in are definitely special.
