A monumental sparkplug to the New York Knicks’ 9-game run ‘heard around the world’ that saw them sweep the current Eastern Conference No. 1 seed Boston Celtics was third-year shooting guard 6th man Immanuel Quickley, who averaged 18.8 points and 3.7 assists over that span. He put the rest of the NBA on notice for the type of player he’s become.
Quickley has been one of the most efficient for New York, averaging a true plus-minus of 0.17 in only 28 minutes of play a game, and has been one of the main contributors in the fourth quarter in replacement for fourth-year starter RJ Barrett.
Quickly’s play has now given him national attention and is being put on the sixth man of the year watch list. The last Knick to win the sixth man of the year award was J.R Smith in 2013, averaging 14.5 points and three assists per contest.
Quickley’s flare not only offensively but on the defensive end has been a huge reason he has been getting more minutes on the floor, averaging just short of a steal per game.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Immanuel Quickley & New York Knicks Updates
The 23-year-old has been a favorite of defensive-minded head coach Tom Thibodeau, who has been known to utilize tight rotations with predominately two-way players.
“Quickley’s my guy,” Thibodeau said following Quickley’s season-high 38 points against the Celtics
Quickley has been said to have “feline quickness and a canine attitude” according to color commentator Walt “Clyde” Frazier, and it is clear that the Knicks organization and fans want him to receive an extension next season once his rookie contract expires.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Immanuel Quickley & New York Knicks Updates
According to Michael Scotto of Hoopshype, the Knicks will have to offer a significant multi-year contract in order to keep their sixth man after this season. From everything that we have seen recently, it wouldn’t be surprising for the Knicks to make a splash and pay IQ handsomely this offseason in order to bring more versatility and veteran presence as they try to build a championship-competing roster.
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