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Let’s watch some Quickley minutes!!!
Outside of the starting debate, we should remember to be super excited to finally have, after many many years, a potentially fantastic starting PG. Let’s look at some of his strengths and potential areas of improvement.
Strength 1: FLOATER
Outside of the starting debate, we should remember to be super excited to finally have, after many many years, a potentially fantastic starting PG. Let’s look at some of his strengths and potential areas of improvement.
Strength 1: FLOATER
There’s been much praise for IQs floater, but his “floater” is not just one shot. The one above is off one foot w elevation to create separation. Sometimes he goes off 2 feet to surprise the help D. He has incredible and unique ability to adjust it based on the specific coverage.
On the other side of the ball, IQ has been really on point with rotations for a rookie. He’s very aware off-ball and his length allows him to compete on-ball, though more strength will help.
One thing to watch out for: He concedes middle drives-never good- a bit too easily.
One thing to watch out for: He concedes middle drives-never good- a bit too easily.
Another example here- this is such a smart rotation, but the closeout, on an iffy shooter, would ideally be a little shorter and force Sato sideline. He has a tendency to open up his hips, allowing the angle he should be trying to cut off.
Here, NYK runs the same action as clip 1 above, but CHI had adjusted and taken away the floater space. This is POINT GUARD Quickley- a great, early read to Obi who does the rest. IQ at times can hold onto the ball too long - this is the kind of play I’d like to see more often.
Here’s an example of IQs effort and length causing problems even though he’s guarding a larger player. As he gets stronger he’ll be able to keep his man from backing him up like this, but the outline of a really solid defensive PG is already there.
1 thing that has bothered me about IQ is his off-ball positioning. This clip is an egregious example because...we never see him. He’s spacing at like half court.
Because he’s not actually using his gravity by being an available, his defender is able to just clog the lane.
Because he’s not actually using his gravity by being an available, his defender is able to just clog the lane.
3rd time we’ve seen the same action, and CHI is ready for it this time. 1 thing IQ can improve is his patience using the screen. You’ll see him start his move before screeners are set, and it enables his defender to fight through. Bc the screen didn’t hit, it ends in a tough look
NYK loves to run this stagger w Rivers handling, IQ spacing, Obi pop and Noel roll. One counter I would LOVE to see us Obi running straight into a pin-down for IQ. This is a fine shot, but we aren’t using IQ as a catch-and-shoot option nearly enough. Obi can the roll hard off it.
This shot here- this is the shot that can make him special. There are not that many PGs in the league who present an immediate 3-pt threat if you aren’t at level of screen. If he becomes deadly with this shot, he becomes an offense unto himself. THAT is the ceiling raiser.
2 comments on this possession:
1) As Rivers probes, IQ needs to work to make himself available for catch and shoot. Again, make yourself a threat off-ball!
2) The big Q on IQ- can he get to the rim? Thad meets him super high here, and next step will be a hesi and blow by.
1) As Rivers probes, IQ needs to work to make himself available for catch and shoot. Again, make yourself a threat off-ball!
2) The big Q on IQ- can he get to the rim? Thad meets him super high here, and next step will be a hesi and blow by.
And this, again, is crazy high level. We saw him use a screen to create the 3 - now he rejects the screen when he sees his defender trying to take it away, w a super quick cross, right into a rise and fire. Footwork is impeccable. This is scary stuff from a rookie.
This is what peak IQ can be defensively. He stays with White beautifully on multiple drives. His stance is solid throughout. Once he forces his man to give it up, he gets into great gap position, long arms out, to dissuade the drive while also dissuading the pass back.
At 9:03 of the 4th, IQ looks over at his coach and sees those bright green shoes of Elfrid Payton gettin ready to check in for him...
So he goes up the court, watches White inexplicably go under Obi’s screen (more IQ/Obi PnR please!), watches Valentine inexplicably drop in coverage, and drains another one. Again, a PG who can do this is a rare and special commodity in the NBA. Can’t believe we got this dude.
Let’s watch some more Quickley minutes!!!
IQ continued to display his strange spot-up habits vs Miami. I love this look of having IQ entering it to Randle in the post, but as IQ drifts further away, his defender gets more confident helping on Randle.
Always be a threat IQ!
IQ continued to display his strange spot-up habits vs Miami. I love this look of having IQ entering it to Randle in the post, but as IQ drifts further away, his defender gets more confident helping on Randle.
Always be a threat IQ!
This one really made me angry. If IQ is in Rose’s line of sight as Rose makes his move (freeze at 24.9 on clock), it’s an easy kick out for a catch and shoot 3. Instead, IQ is barely in the picture, and I don’t blame Rose for opting to just go up with it w no obvious options.
Still don’t believe me? Try and find IQ as Rose makes his baseline drive here.
As Herro is watching the drive, it’s a perfect opportunity to relocate around the arc as a threat.
IQ can get many more easy spot up 3s playing w a high-level penetrator like Rose, but it’s on him.
As Herro is watching the drive, it’s a perfect opportunity to relocate around the arc as a threat.
IQ can get many more easy spot up 3s playing w a high-level penetrator like Rose, but it’s on him.
On the other side of the ball, I’ve mentioned how I think IQ has great awareness- this possession shows it.
Switches the first screen from Herro to Butler, then audibly communicates “OBI” to pick up Butler down low and scram IQ to Iggy (Obi: “I’m Here”). Finishes w solid boxout
Switches the first screen from Herro to Butler, then audibly communicates “OBI” to pick up Butler down low and scram IQ to Iggy (Obi: “I’m Here”). Finishes w solid boxout
Late in the game Butler really targeted IQ by calling up IQs man - Herro - to screen for him.
It’s clear Thibs wants IQ to hedge and recover, which is a tough ask on as good a shooter as Herro. Here, he holds the hedge a little too long, which makes the recovery too difficult.
It’s clear Thibs wants IQ to hedge and recover, which is a tough ask on as good a shooter as Herro. Here, he holds the hedge a little too long, which makes the recovery too difficult.
On the next possession, IQ does a marvelous job navigating multiple screens requiring several hedges, denies the pass to Herro, and forces Jimmy into a really tough shot. This is a perfect job.
On the third possession, IQ and Rose don’t do a good enough job communicating whether it’s supposed to be a hedge or a switch - Rose seems to think they are switching while IQ seems to want to hedge. This is understandable considering it’s their first game together.
Ultimately, one thing to consider is how much easier it is to just switch these actions, but Thibs doesn’t yet want to do that with IQ, and I think that’s probably correct since IQ still gets pushed around a bit. With Elfrid, or even Rose out there, I think Thibs just switches em
And while Elfrid can be a bonehead defensively, the strength advantage he currently has on IQ can’t be discounted for this reason. I don’t think Jimmy would even necessarily think to target Payton. And if he did, it’s probably just a switch - you don’t need to compromise your D.
Which is all to say that IQ, like almost all rookies, needs to, and will, get stronger. At 6”3 he has the requisite size, plus good length, to become a switchy NBA guard. Coupled with already really positive awareness, I think he can grow into a real plus defensively.
MORE QUICKLEY MINUTES!!!!
The one real knock on IQ has been his ability to get to the rim. This was a great sign.
He’ll need to learn tricks like these to off-foot defenders until he gains some strength- this was very Trae Young like, someone IQ should watch closely.
The one real knock on IQ has been his ability to get to the rim. This was a great sign.
He’ll need to learn tricks like these to off-foot defenders until he gains some strength- this was very Trae Young like, someone IQ should watch closely.
I’ve mentioned on this thread how lack of strength is the only thing holding IQ back defensively.
Now, Gordon bowling balls a lot of dudes, so it’s a tough one to pick on, but it illustrates where he can still grow. Stays w Gordon, but gets backed up and scored on easily.
Now, Gordon bowling balls a lot of dudes, so it’s a tough one to pick on, but it illustrates where he can still grow. Stays w Gordon, but gets backed up and scored on easily.
This was filthy, but it’s enabled by the threat of IQs 3-ball. Watch how the slight hesitation at the top of the key forces Tate’s lunge to prevent a shot. Then IQ is able to bring out a nasty in&out dribble to get to the cup.
Not much to say here other than IQ has an uncommon gift to be able to score at strange angles from strange places. Love how he considers his options here - Gibson not quite the lob threat he’s used to playing with - before opting for this tough floater.
IQs defensive awareness on display. Picks up Wall in transition (not fun) and forces a pass. Calls for the switch w D Rose, then instead of following his man, sees he is the help on the drive and does enough in rim protection to force a miss. He’s so dam smart.
To close out film on IQs performance last night, I want to focus on his 2nd half display of impressive variety of shot creation and shotmaking that should make Knicks fans ecstatic.
This one we’ve seen before, and should see every time opponents disrespect him by going under.
This one we’ve seen before, and should see every time opponents disrespect him by going under.
You’ll see in the thread above an example of IQ rejecting the screen and dribbling straight into his 3. Here he adds another layer. He rejects the screen, but the D does a good job to lunge in recovery. So IQ responds w a cross BACK OVER to create the space. This is stupid smooth
This one really got me out of my seat, because IQ isn’t using a screen at all. 1 on 1 against a good defender, he uses a nasty and tight handle w the through the legs move to get the defender off balance, and steps back in 1 motion into his shot. He’s clearly worked on that a ton
And to top it off, a run of the mill catch and shoot in transition. While this one seems most basic, I’ve noted above how IQ isn’t nearly aggressive enough seeking out these types of shots, so it was good to see him sense the opportunity at half court and sprint to the open spot.
So, it wasn’t just that IQ drilled 4 3s in the 2nd half that should excite Knicks fans — it’s the variety w which he did so.
1) using the screen
2) rejecting the screen
3) iso opportunity
4) catch and shoot
That half highlighted just how special IQ can be on and off ball.
1) using the screen
2) rejecting the screen
3) iso opportunity
4) catch and shoot
That half highlighted just how special IQ can be on and off ball.
