Which New York Knicks Can Succeed Julius Randle as Most Improved Player?

Can Immanuel Quickley win Most Improved Player this season?

The Knicks have a ton of talent when it comes to their backcourt.

So much so in fact that RJ Barrett and Alec Burks will be the New York Knicks’ primary small forwards this season despite usually being utilized as shooting guards.

But, even with all of this depth, Immanuel Quickley can still be expected to see plenty of burn.

Just by becoming a more efficient and consistent scorer, Quickley will be an improved player, and his numbers will look great, therefore potentially turning heads towards a MIP campaign.

While Quickley’s rookie season was certainly a success, he did have his struggles. He was very much a microwave sort of player.

Sometimes he was just unstoppable with his deep threes and his floaters. But, other times he was ice cold.

Quickley struggled the most with his 2-point scoring, finishing the year with a non-ideal 39% field goal percentage and a just as unenthusiastic 40% 2P%.

Thankfully though his efficiency woes did not translate to his three-point shooting as he shot 39% on 4 attempts from deep per game.

Quickley’s minutes may only hover around 20 minutes per game once again in his sophomore season, but he can still go a long way in improving his game by having a better shot selection at times and by simply making more of the great looks he often creates for himself.

Additionally, we can see an improvement in Quickley’s assist numbers.

During the NBA Summer League, IQ was given the keys to the offense and did a great job.

In his four games as the starting point guard, Quickley tallied 7 assists twice and recorded 8 and 9 assists in the other two games.

Overall, his assist to turnover ratio was 31:11, which is very impressive.

Maybe that success will see Quickley get more looks like the lead guard in the Knicks offense.

The addition of more competent playmaking and shooting in the form of Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker can do wonders for both Quickley’s shooting and assists numbers.

Sure, to an extent you can make an argument that Quickley wouldn’t be deserving of MIP just because he has better stats on a team with an improved offense.

However, it is still on Quickley to record those stats.

The right boost in his shooting percentages (and in turn points per game) assist numbers and an overall increased role in the offense can lead to a nod for the MIP Award.