One of the highlights of the Knicks’ surprising and impressive 4-3 was how Austin Rivers and Immanuel Quickley teamed up during Monday night’s win over the Hawks in Atlanta.
On Wednesday, Rivers discussed what makes Quickley a success and why the two worked so well together.
“Fast, he’s a very confident player,” Rivers told reporters via Zoom. “More confident than any rookie I’ve ever seen I’ve played with. He plays like he’s on the pitch. He plays with incredible pace with himself, he doesn’t let anyone speed him up. He feels like he belongs on any stage with any player – it’s a rare skill you find in someone her age It’s easy to have chemistry with someone like that.
“Things just work. I don’t know how to explain it. I know how he likes to play. He makes it so easy because he’s so confident and vocal. Sometimes beginners are quiet and insecure. It’s hard to play with someone who doesn’t know where to play. Will it be or what to do. It makes every move, right or wrong, with confidence. It’s just easier to read and play. I’m kind of similar that way in terms of playing with confidence. We can only play the with each other and fit. I’m constantly on the lookout for Quick because I trust him to make the right decisions. At his age, his first year, he doesn’t play like a rookie. He just doesn’t play like a rookie. Every time playing with someone like that you can naturally fit in”.