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Kevin O’Connor’s Sixth Man of the Year prediction will thrill Knicks fans

ByJordanna Clark|
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks reacts to the crowd in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 05, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks reacts to the crowd in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 05, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Not only is there a possibility that Jalen Brunson will win the NBA Most Improved Player Award and represent the New York Knicks, but Immanuel Quickley could (and should) win the Sixth Man of the Year Award. With the leap that Quickley has taken in year three, he’s emerged as one of the frontrunners.

Along with IQ, Malcolm Brogdon and Bobby Portis could win the award, too. He’s up against two of the best bench players in the league, but Quickley’s proven at the young age of 23 that he deserves to not only be in the conversation but to take the award home.

Quickley’s averaging 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steal while shooting 44.8% from the field and 36.7% from three in 80 games. His explosiveness and energy off the bench played a large role in New York securing the No. 5 seed in the East. His impact has been undeniable.

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor thinks so, too. On ‘The Mismatch’ podcast, O’Connor made his prediction for who he thinks will be the 6MOTY.

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor predicts Knicks’ Immanuel Quickley will win Sixth Man of the Year

Kevin O’Connor predicted that MIP will go to Lauri Markkanen or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, ROY will go to Paolo Banchero, 6MOTY will be Immanuel Quickley, and MVP will come down to either Joel Embiid or Giannis Antetokounmpo.

While Knicks fans won’t like O’Connor’s vote for MIP, his vote for Sixth Man is what sticks out. IQ’s odds to win the award shot up after he dropped a then career-high 38 points in 55 minutes in a double-overtime victory over the Celtics at TD Garden at the beginning of March. The pressure wasn’t too much for him as he hit big shot after big shot and skipped back down the court after doing so.

Quickley’s biggest competition for Sixth Man is Malcolm Brogdon, who is averaging 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 67 games while shooting 48.4% from the floor and 44.4% from deep. Brogdon’s the better shooter than Quickley, but IQ’s the better two-way player whether he comes off the bench or replaces Jalen Brunson in the starting lineup.

Some may argue that because the Celtics have a better record than the Knicks, Brogdon deserves to win, but that’d be undermining the success that New York has experienced this season. For a team that was supposed to be battling for a play-in spot, Quickley and the Knicks have done pretty well for themselves,

Don’t overthink it. Immanuel Quickley is the Sixth Man of the Year.

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