New York Knicks: Who stepped up against the OKC Thunder on Dec. 16?

Kyle O’Quinn

With no shred of homerism, it’s fair to state that Kyle O’Quinn is one of the best backup centers in the NBA. Not only is he a per 36 star of a contributor, but his contributions are versatile enough to check virtually every box of what’s expected of traditional and contemporary big men.

Even without the three-point shot in his arsenal, O’Quinn continued to produce with Kristaps Porzingis sidelined by an injury.

O’Quinn made life miserable for the Thunder’s depleted interior, posting nine points and seven rebounds in just 25 minutes. He added two assists and a block to his tally, thus further establishing his value as a two-way player.

O’Quinn doesn’t often produce elite scoring numbers, but he’s an outstanding rebounder and shot-blocker who ranks amongst the most underrated passers in the NBA.

The numbers were solid, but O’Quinn’s impact ranged far beyond the box score. His mere presence on the court held the opposition accountable, as his motor ran high from beginning to end, thus forcing the opposition to account for the long missing New York grit.

If the Knicks end up making the playoffs this season, then O’Quinn will be a driving force behind that success—and games like this are a shining example of his impact on the culture.

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Behind the efforts of some unsung heroes, the New York Knicks have defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder to improve to 16-13.