New Knicks point guard Derrick Rose had dinner at the team’s Miami hotel on Monday night to talk to his two rookies – Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin.
“He just stressed me out – first he gave me his number – he said everything I needed just hit him,” Quickley said. ‘But he sat down with me for a bit, Obi and I actually just told us he’s here to help us, he’s here to help us grow and things like that. It’s good to get a chance to talk to him last night. ‘
Quickley and veteran Rose have one thing in common: they shared the same coach at the university in John Calipari.
Now Rose, who played for ‘Cal’ in Memphis, and Quickley will fight for Tom Thibodeau’s affection while the Knicks scatter Rose in the roster.
Quickley said he did not think Rose would make his debut against the Heat on Tuesday, but added he was not 100 percent sure.
Since Super Bowl Sunday dealt with Detroit, social media has erupted with concerns that Rose’s arrival will steal minutes from Quickley, a favorite of fans who will steal an average of 18 minutes a night. Rose is expected to come off the bench.
However, Quickley quickly said how he will “admire” Rose at the 2011 MVP and that they are versatile enough to play together in the same backfield.
‘We both played for the same coach at the same university. That’s why we shared some similar experiences there and played for a tough coach, ‘Quickley said. ‘And then we get Coach Thibs rookie year. Lots of similarities. I get the chance to choose his brain, something I like to do is ask a lot of questions and take notes and give feedback and all that stuff. So it has to be good. ”
If that is not said, it could be the competition for Quickley (21) to spread his wings completely, as Thibodeau is pushing for the trade. Thibodeau coached Rose in Chicago and Minnesota, and they have a special relationship.
“I have no idea how this is going to work out,” Quickley said. “I will allow the coaches to handle it all. But as for me, I know I’m a versatile player. This is something I emphasized before the concept, that I can play on or off the ball. To just be the type of player, I can fit into any system in any way. ‘I feel like he’s a versatile player too and just watching him play. He can shoot it, climb into the orbit and create. And then when I defend, I feel that we can both defend as well. If I’m just versatile players on and off the ball, it feels like it gives us an advantage. ”
Quickley was 11 when Rose won the MVP award with Thibodeau as his coach. Rose, who was not made available to the media, said in a Knicks video that he was here to ‘help the young players’.
Quickley hopes this can happen and likes his first chat with Rose.
” A 13-year-old veteran of the league, when you can always get the chance to pick someone’s brain that has been through almost everything – playoff games, all the way up to MVP. “It’s always a good opportunity to learn from someone who has experience, ‘Quickley said. ‘It’s the best teacher who chooses his brain through everything he knows about the game. This is something I’m looking forward to. ”
Quickley was selected in November 25th after being selected as a second-round pick, and was the Knicks’ biggest revelation after Julius Randle’s All-Star campaign. He came from Kentucky exploring that he could be a subordinate shooting guard.
The Knicks are impressed, but still do not consider Quickley a full-fledged points guard due to his raw playing skills.
Quickley is known for his float and Stephen Curry-like long 3s, scoring an average of 12 points and shooting 36.3 percent from 3-point land and 93 percent from the free-throw line.
“It feels like I’m aggressive when I’m at my best, want 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., who was involved in the trade, had not yet taken his physical for the Pistons.