New Knicks guard Derrick Rose already sat down to dinner Monday night at the team’s Miami hotel to talk to his two newcomers: Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin.
“He stressed me out (first of all he gave me his number) and said everything he needed just hit him,” Quickley told Zoom after Tuesday morning’s shooting. “But he sat down with me a little bit, me and Obi, in fact, they told us he was here to help us, that he’s here to help us grow and stuff like that. It’s good to have the opportunity. to talk to him a little last night ”.
Quickley and veteran Rose have one thing in common: they shared the same coach at John Calipari University.
Now, Rose, who played “Cal” in Memphis, and Quickley will fight for Tom Thibodeau’s affection as the Knicks scatter Rose on the roster.
Quickley said he didn’t think Rose was going to make his debut on Tuesday against the Heat, but added he wasn’t 100% sure.
Since Super Bowl Sunday’s trade with Detroit, social media has erupted with concern that Rose’s arrival will rob minutes at Quickley, a fan favorite that averages 18 minutes per night. Rose is expected to step off the bench.
However, Quickley was quick to say how he “admires” Rose, will learn from the 2011 MVP and that they are versatile enough to play together on the same backyard.
“We both played the same coach at university. So we shared similar experiences there, playing with a coach with a tough mindset, ”said Quickley. “And then we have the new year of coach Thibs. So many similarities. I get a chance to pick his brain, one thing I like to do is ask lots of questions and take notes, comments and all that. Therefore, it should be good.
Unsurprisingly, this could be the competition for 21-year-old Quickley to fully spread his wings, considering that Thibodeau boosted trade. Thibodeau coached Rose in Chicago and Minnesota, and they have a special relationship.
“I have no idea how it will work,” Quickley said. “I’ll let the coaches take care of all that. But as for me, I know I’m a versatile player. That’s what I stressed before the draft, that I can play on or off the ball. So just being able to be that kind of player, I can adapt to any system anyway. “I feel like I’m a versatile player, I just saw him play. He can shoot it, get in the lane and create. I feel like we can both defend as well. So just being versatile players on and off the ball, I feel it gives us an edge. “
Quickley was 11 when Rose won the MVP award with Thibodeau as coach. Rose, who did not make herself available to the media, said in a Knicks video that she was here to “help young players.”
Quickley waits for this to happen and enjoyed his first chat with Rose.
“A 13-year veteran of the league, at any time you can have a chance to pick the brain of someone who has gone through pretty much everything: playoffs, everything, even MVP. It’s always a good opportunity to learn from ‘someone who has experience,’ Quickley said. “This is the best teacher when it comes to choosing the brain through everything he knows about the game. It’s something I’m looking forward to.”
Selected on November 25 after being projected as a second-round pick, Quickley has been the Knicks ’biggest revelation since Julius Randle’s All-Star-level campaign. He left Kentucky with the concern of hearing that he might be a guard of small-scale shooting.
The Knicks are impressed, but they still don’t consider Quickley a great defender because of his raw gaming skills.
Known for his float and long 3s similar to Stephen Curry, Quickley averages 12 points and shoots 36.3% from 3-point ground and 93% from the free throw line.
“They feel like when I’m at the best moment I’m aggressive, I look to score first, and then create for my teammates as well,” Quickley said.
Rose was not made available to the media because Dennis Smith Jr., involved in the trade, had not yet taken his physique by the Pistons.