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New Knicks point guard Derrick Rose has already sat down for dinner Monday night at the team’s hotel in Miami to speak to his two rookies – Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin.
“He just stressed me out – first he gave me his number – said whatever I needed, just hit him,” Quickley told Zoom after Tuesday morning’s shoot. “But he sat down with me a bit, me and Obi actually, he just told us that he was there to help us, he is there to help us grow and things like that. It’s nice to have the chance to talk to him a little bit last night.
Quickley and veteran Rose have one thing in common: They shared the same college coach at John Calipari.
Now Rose, who played for “Cal” in Memphis, and Quickley will fight for Tom Thibodeau’s affection as the Knicks sprinkle Rose on the roster.
Quickley said he didn’t think Rose would make his debut against the Heat on Tuesday, but added he wasn’t 100% sure.
Since the Super Bowl Sunday trade with Detroit, social media has erupted with fears that Rose’s arrival will steal minutes from Quickley, a fan favorite who spends an average of 18 minutes per night. Rose is expected to leave the bench.
However, Quickley was quick to share how he “admires” Rose, will learn from the 2011 MVP, and that they are versatile enough to play together in the same backcourt.
“We both played for the same coach in college. So we shared similar experiences there, playing for a hard-minded coach, ”said Quickley. “And then we get the rookie year of Coach Thibs. So a lot of similarities. I get to choose his brain, what I like to do is ask a lot of questions and take notes and comments and all that. So it should be good.
Not said, is that it could be a competition for Quickley, 21, to fully spread his wings, considering Thibodeau has pushed for the trade. Thibodeau trained Rose in Chicago and Minnesota, and they have a special relationship.
“I have no idea how this will work,” Quickley said. “I’m going to let the coaches handle all of this. But for me, I know I’m a versatile player. It’s something that I emphasized before the draft, that I can play on or off the ball. So, being able to be that type of player, I can fit into any system anyway. “I feel like he’s a versatile player as well, just watching him play. He can pull it, get in the way, and create. And then on defense, I feel like we can both defend too. So just being versatile players on and off the ball, I feel like that gives us an advantage.
Quickley was 11 when Rose won the MVP award with Thibodeau as her coach. Rose, who was not made available to the media, said in a Knicks video that he was there to “help young players.”
Quickley is hoping this will happen and enjoyed his first conversation with Rose.
“A 13-year-old league veteran, at any time you may have a chance to pick the brains of someone who’s been through pretty much everything – the playoffs, everything, up to MVP. It’s always a good chance to learn from someone with experience, ”said Quickley. “He’s the best teacher when it comes to his brain across all he knows about the game. It’s something I look forward to. “
Selected on November 25 after being screened as a second-round pick, Quickley was the Knicks’ biggest revelation following Julius Randle’s All-Star campaign. He walked out of Kentucky with the fear that he could be an undersized shooting guard.
The Knicks are impressed, but still don’t see Quickley as a point guard in their own right due to his raw skills in the game.
Known for his float and long 3s similar to those of Stephen Curry, Quickley averages 12 points and shoots 36.3% from a 3-point field and 93% from the free throw line.
“They feel like when I’m at my best I’m aggressive, I’m looking to score first and then create for my teammates too,” said Quickley.
Rose was not made available to the media because Dennis Smith Jr., involved in the trade, had yet to take his physique for the Pistons.
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