Knicks goalkeeper Immanuel Quickley won’t start in Wednesday’s season opener against the Pacers – but Mitchell Robinson will start
Quickley, who became a pre-season revelation and started as a goalkeeper in the pre-season final, should have left the bench, while head coach Tom Thibodeau stayed with veteran guard Elfrid Payton.
Thibodeau said Quickley will still be in his 10-man rotation, indicating he could end the game. The former Kentucky stud farm added electricity and shots outside, the latter being a major weakness for Payton.
“I think it’s a compilation of things,” Thibodeau said when asked why Payton would start. “That’s how things went in practice, the games, the way the groups play with each other. And the beginning has never been as important as the end for me. We will analyze the different combinations, the guys who play well, the good performance, they will be the guys who are there.
“We have young boys who will continue to improve. We have suitable veterans around them who can help them teach young tricks the tricks of the trade. So we bet everyone. “
The only other minor surprise, along with his other starters, was Reggie Bullock, who received Alec Burks’ call to the guard. Burks missed the last two games for personal reasons as his wife gave birth.
Thibodeau says Bullock offers the club another 3-point shot from the start, but the coaching staff has fallen for Burks, their top signing as a free agent.
“I like both guys and they both have strengths that compliment each group,” Thibodeau said. “And I’m still not sure if we’ll return it again. But both boys are very efficient with beginners and both boys are very efficient with the bench. Both have a strong defensive presence. I think Alec is very good and has the ability to play. So I think it’s a good complement to that group. But we’re still sorting this out. Of course Reggie gives us an extra shot that we need to open the floor and a great defense. “
Robinson excelled in starting the last two pre-season games over Nerlens Noel, who was troubled by a knee injury. Robinson came in strong and did not score a foul in the pre-season final.