NY Knicks: The key stats behind Immanuel Quickley’s “Elite potential”

NY Knicks: Immanuel Quickley’s Shooting is Elite

With the Knicks’ recent injury to Elfrid Payton and Derrick Rose’s battle with COVID, Immanuel Quickley has had to carry a lot of the playmaking load. Again, it’s a good experience for him, but it’s also been a big factor as to why his shooting percentages have been low.

The 21-year-old has a score-first mindset that can be great, but when he’s tasked with being the team’s lead guard, it’s led to some poor shot selection. Quickley has found himself taking a lot of contested shots – shots where’s he had to work tirelessly to find any inch of space. When Quickley does have that space? He’s automatic.

His ability to create space for himself is something not many rookies can do. He can also become a lethal spot-up shooter – Something The Knicks need to try and get him more involve in.  On the season, Immanuel Quickley is shooting 44.3% on “Catch-and-shoot” 3s. When he’s given the space, he’s going to knock down the shot.

Quickley’s smooth form, ability to comfortable adjust from difficult angles is an indication of more success down the road. You have to trust what you see (Mechanics, ability to shoot off-of-the-dribble, creating space) over field goal%. Quickley’s sky-high 88.5% free throw percentage is yet another strong indicator of future shooting success.

You can think of countless examples of young players who flashed elite scoring early in their careers, but it wasn’t always reflected in the shooting percentages. Of recent cases, I think of how critics pointed to LaMelo Ball’s low percentages in the NBL prior to being drafted. If you sat down and watched LaMelo Ball film, you could tell the low efficiency had more to do with shot-selection and the offense he was in – It’s why he was far and away #1 on my draft board. Here he is in the NBA with better floor spacing and he’s immediately been a standout player who hasn’t had any issues scoring.

Look at Knicks’ forward Kevin Knox’s shooting. Say whatever you want about any other aspect of his game and development, but the second Knox stepped on an NBA court, he had a smooth release on a high arcing shot that makes you say “Oh, he’ll definitely be an effective shooter in the NBA”. Knox had horrific shooting percentages playing in terrible offenses, and although his game hasn’t progressed in other areas, he’s quietly shot over 40% in his limited action this season.

So with Immanuel Quickley, stick with what you see from watching him on the court as opposed to what the box score says. The real question is, just how good can he become?