The new Knicks goalkeeper, Derrick Rose, has already sat down to dinner on Monday night at the team’s Miami hotel to talk to his two beginners – Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin.
“He just pointed it out to me – first of all he gave me his number – he told me everything had to hit him,” Quickley told Zoom after the launch on Tuesday morning. “But he sat down with me for a while, Obi and I actually told him that he was here to help us, he was here to help us grow things like that. It’s good to have a chance to talk to him a little last night. ”
Quickley and veteran Rose have one thing in common – they shared the same college coach in John Calipari.
Now, Rose, who played for “Cal” in Memphis, and Quickley will fight for Tom Thibodeau’s affection, while the Knicks sprinkle Rose on the list.
Quickley said he doesn’t think Rose will make his debut against the Heat on Tuesday, but added that he is not 100% sure.
Since trading Super Bowl Sunday with Detroit, social media has erupted with concern that Rose’s arrival will steal a few minutes from Quickley, a fan favorite who has an average of 18 minutes a 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 in the same backyard.
“We both played for the same coach at college. So I shared some similar experiences there, playing for a hard-minded coach, “said Quickley. “And then we will receive coach Thibs starting the year. So a lot of similarities. I have a chance to choose his brain, what I like to do is ask a lot of questions and get notes, feedback and all that. So it should be fine. ”
Unsurprisingly, this could be a competition for 21-year-old Quickley to fully spread his wings, given that Thibodeau pushed for the exchange. Thibodeau trained Rose in Chicago and Minnesota and they have a special relationship.
“I have no idea how it will work,” Quickley said. “I will let the coaches take care of all this. But as far as I’m concerned, I know I’m a versatile player. That’s what I pointed out before the draft, that I can play on or on the ball. So, just being able to be that type of player, I can fit into any system in any way. “I feel that he is also a versatile player, just watching him play. He can pull it, join the band and create. And then in defense, I feel like we can both defend. So, being just versatile players on and off the ball, I feel it gives us an advantage. ”
Quickley was 11 years old when Rose won the MVP award with Thibodeau as coach. Rose, who was not made available to the press, said in a video from Knicks that she is here to “help young players.”
Quickley hoped it would happen and enjoyed his first chat with Rose.
“A 13-year veteran of the league, you can always have the chance to choose the brain of someone who went through almost everything – playoffs, everything, up to the MVP. It’s always a good chance to learn from someone who has experience, “said Quickley. “This is the best teacher in terms of brainstorming through everything he knows about the game. It’s something I’m looking forward to. ”
Selected on November 25 after being projected as an option in the second round, Quickley was the Knicks’ biggest revelation after Julius Randle’s star-studded campaign. He left Kentucky with research concerns that he could be an undersized shooting guard.
The Knicks are impressed, but still don’t consider Quickley a complete keeper because of his raw playing skills.
Known for his float and long 3s similar to Stephen Curry, Quickley has an average of 12 points and draws 36.3 percent from the 3-point field and 93 percent from the free throw line.
“I feel like when I feel the most, I’m aggressive, looking to score first and then create for my teammates,” Quickley said.
Rose was not made available to the press because Dennis Smith Jr., who was involved in the trade, had not yet taken his physique to the Pistons.