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Immanuel Quickley ranked higher than supposed Knicks star on Top 125 list

By Jordanna Clark

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 05: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks reacts with RJ Barrett #9 after scoring against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at the TD Garden on March 05, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 05: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks reacts with RJ Barrett #9 after scoring against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at the TD Garden on March 05, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) /
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Immanuel Quickley has been playing incredible basketball for the New York Knicks, so much so that he’s one of the frontrunners to win the Sixth Man of the Year award. Trade rumors were floating around his name a couple of months ago, but now the conversation has shifted to him possibly signing an extension with New York during the offseason.

Although he’s averaging a career-high 13.5 points, it’s his impact on the defensive end that has stood out so much. He isn’t only a microwave scorer. Quickley is a great perimeter defender and as Tue Tom Thibodeau has gloated about, he can defend multiple positions. He gave Jayson Tatum a fit in New York’s huge double-overtime win over Boston on March 5.

So, it isn’t a surprise that Quickley made it on The Ringer’s Top 125 Player Rankings at No. 95. What is a surprise, though, is that he’s one spot ahead of RJ Barrett (No. 96). Sure, this list doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme of things, but it’s still eye-opening that Quickley is valued more than Barrett.

Knicks’ Immanuel Quickley ranked higher than RJ Barrett on The Ringer’s Top 125 Rankings

The Ringer wrote that Quickley is “A do-everything guard: skilled and intuitive on offense, dogged and resourceful on defense.” The summarization of Barrett’s skillset wasn’t as positive: “Committed driver still waiting on the rest of his game to catch up – and on the Knicks to give him real room to operate.”

While Quickley will become extension eligible on July 1, Barrett signed a four-year extension last summer. Barrett was supposed to be “New York’s guy” this season after the organization decided to not include him in a deal for Donovan Mitchell. Instead, he isn’t even one of the top two players on the Knicks.

Fans have grown frustrated with Barrett’s inconsistency, but the joy of watching Quickley make a huge leap in year three has been a pleasure to watch. IQ will be key to the Knicks’ playoff run, but Barrett arguably will be even more important. If it weren’t for Barrett’s 30 points on Sunday against LA, New York’s losing streak would’ve extended to four. He doesn’t need to do that regularly for the Knicks to win, but it isn’t extreme to say that he should be able to drop an efficient 20 or so points on a nightly basis. If he could do that, a healthy New York team would be unstoppable.

Barrett likely doesn’t pay any attention to best players lists, but if he did, maybe he’d be fueled by his spot on The Ringer’s rankings. To be ranked lower than a bench player the season after signing an extension isn’t exactly a good look. He needs to let his game speak for itself (and in a good way), or else a player like Quickley could not only be more valued by the media, but by the organization.

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