3 fire takeaways from Knicks’ dominant first win over Pistons
1: The Knicks’ bench was styling and profiling
It is known throughout the NBA that the Knicks have one of the best benches in the entire league, and against the Pistons, they really showed it.
Not only did nearly every player off the bench play fantastically, but they were also electric, bringing the crowd to their feet multiple times throughout the game. Combined, the Knicks’ bench outscored the Pistons’ bench, 64-22.
Most notably, Immanuel Quickley absolutely shined, dropping 20 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists on 8-of-14 shooting from the field and 3-of-8 shooting from three. While his shot selection was questionable at times, Quickley was absolutely fantastic, being just what the Knicks need off the bench.
In a similar fashion to Barrett, Quickley really struggled against the Grizzlies, so it was nice to see him bounce back.
As for the rest of the bench, Isaiah Hartenstein, Derrick Rose, and Obi Toppin all played amazingly. Without their performances, New York likely would not have won this game.
Toppin was great all night, scoring 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field and 2-of-5 shooting from three. He showcased both his high-flying slashing and some very solid jump shots. His progression has truly been fantastic to watch.
If Toppin can continue to improve his level of play as the season goes on, he could potentially force his way into the starting lineup. The pace he brings to the game is something that cannot be undervalued.
The Knicks need their bench to keep this level of play up, as we have seen how bad the team can be when the bench is not playing well.
