The Knicks continued to solve their guard problem with their lottery selection, rather than lead Obi Toppin.
But it’s possible the Knicks would have won the grand prize with their other first-round first-team team – Kentucky combined guard Immanuel Quickley, who continues to make running drills look silly.
In his second game after not stepping off the bench in the preseason opening, Quickley, selected No. 25, proved he could only be able to handle the guard role in the NBA.
Quickley’s electricity and livelihood encouraged the Knicks to return in the fourth quarter in Wednesday’s 100-93 victory over the Cavaliers in the fanless garden.
His ability to slide through the Cavaliers’ zone defense, establish his teammates and reach the free-throw line resulted in a dead team losing the game from the 3-point line. He quickly scored nine points with nine assists in 24 minutes.
“I thought Quick was fantastic – the pressure of the ball, the fact that he can shoot as best he can, opens the ground,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said.
His 11-pound major book did not explain its effectiveness. Normally, a solid 3-point shooter was 1 in 6 beyond the arc, but teams must respect him, unlike, say, starting point Elfrid Payton.
The biggest story was how Quickley fearlessly ran the attack that flowed majestically during that 34-13 quarter.
“I have been a lifeguard all my life. I feel versatile playing ball, “Quickley said.” I feel like when I came in, I was trying to tell all the NBA teams that I’m someone who played off the ball in Kentucky that year, my sophomore year. “I can do both. And I’m glad the Knicks chose me. I’m happy to be here. The fans are great. So I just feel like I can do both.”
In most of the simulated drafts, Quickley positioned himself as a second-round pick in the middle to final despite being named SEC Player of the Year. The Knicks have this Kentucky pipeline with their two executives, Leon Rose and William Wesley, former John Calipari agents.
Also, new assistant Kenny Payne was Calipari’s right hand man and put pressure on Quickley’s selection. Perhaps this additional information will bear fruit.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist still has an illness and has not made his debut, which could jeopardize his chances of putting on the team. … Omari Spellman made his debut for Mitchell Robinson. He fired two outside shots. … Frank Ntilikina (Achilles), Nerlens Noel (knee pain) and Alec Burks missed Wednesday’s game. Reggie Bullock started Burks on small forward and struggled with his 3-point shot (1 of 6). … Austin Rivers (pulling in the groin) will miss all four preseason games.
Toppin was tied for most draft drills to head to Cleveland at No. 5, but the Cavaliers took on Isaac Okoro, a defensive winger who has scored double figures in each of his three games.
“It was until draft night,” Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff said. “It simply came to our notice then. It was a debate. We decided the need he covered at the defensive end of the flat. “