New York Knicks lose 4th straight, but one rookie is showing incredible potential

New York Knicks, Immanuel Quickley
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

The New York Knicks are in the middle of a tough losing streak, giving up their last four games. At one point in the season, they had won five of six games, but their offense has been sputtering and their defense lackluster. During this four-game losing streak, the Knicks have given up at least 101 points and allowed 116 against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday evening.

Despite drawing the game within five in the final moments, the Nets handily won this contest, leading by 19 at one point. They simply couldn’t stop Kevin Durant and his perfect mid-range jumper, also allowing 30 points from the Brooklyn bench.

As for the Knicks, Julius Randle had another fantastic game, posting 30 points on 13-of-25 shots from the field. However, young rookie Immanuel Quickley looked sharp in the loss, playing 22 minutes. He finished with 19 points, connecting on 7-of-15 shots and hitting on 3-of-6 shots from three-point land. He also collected three assists, and while I would like to see him spreading the ball a bit more efficiently, he seems fearless driving the rim and utilizes his high energy to tantalize opposing shooters.

Quickley has something that all great players contain, and it is drive. His desire to become better each and every day will eventually lead to him being a star for the Knicks, and while it will likely take some time as a late first-round pick, he has all of the tools necessary to reach his potential.

Even after the Knicks’ loss to the Nets, Quickley stayed after hours and heaved up shots while nobody else was in the stadium. That shows determination and motivation, something Knicks’ players have lacked in the past, but they are committed to finding athletes who desperately want to be great, and that is what Quickley is.

Luckily for him, it seems that head coach Tom Thibodeau is committed to giving him more minutes, especially with Elfrid Payton under-performing and lacking consistency. Payton is on a one year, $5 million deal, so it is more beneficial to give action to Immanuel, who is obviously the future and could be their solution at point guard long-term.

Once he gets that floating shot down from the paint, he’s going to be a deadly threat who can score from all angles and maximize his high energy style of play.