The Knicks newly formed backcourt backup pair of veteran Austin Rivers and rookie Immanuel Quickley have been so diligent in helping the Knicks to victories in the last two games they’ve inspired social-media nicknames.
One emerged this week: “Quivers”.
Apparently, Quickley didn’t like that one and suggested on Twitter: “Rickley.’’
Rivers, the Knicks’ loquacious new combo guard, frowned at both of the monikers during an interview on Zoom following Wednesday’s morning shootaround before the Knicks will play host to the Jazz at an empty Garden.
“I definitely don’t like – you said Rickley?” Rivers said. “I don’t know if I’m a fan of either of those names. I think it would be cool if we had a name, but right now Quivers is the best we got. Quivers means they shake? Or be scared or something along those lines? I’ll take Quivers, if that’s what we got for now.’’
Rivers has been scary good in closing the last two games with panache and hitting huge 3-point shots late in each win.
In their big comeback win in Atlanta on Monday, Rivers and Quickley closed the fourth quarter to rally the Knicks.
In each of the past two games, “Quivers’” played together in the first half. And Rivers knows why their chemistry seems right. He said Quickley is playing with “more confidence than any rookie I’ve seen that I’ve played with coming in.” Rivers added that he loves the pace Quickley generates.
“Things just work,’’ Doc Rivers’ son said. “I know how he likes to play. It makes it so easy because he’s so confident and vocal. Sometimes rookies are quiet and unsure. It’s hard to play with someone unsure where he’ll be at. He makes every movement – whether it’s right or wrong – confidently. It’s just easier to read and play with.
“I’m kind of similar that way in terms of playing with confidence. We are just able to play with each other and fit. I’m constantly looking for ‘Quick’ because I trust him to make the right decisions. At his age, his first year, he just doesn’t play like a rookie.”
Prior to Saturday’s game in Indiana, Rivers (groin) and Quickley (hip) were each out an extended time with injuries. Now their emergence as a backup guard pairing has enlivened the squad despite their other injuries.
For the first seven games, Thibodeau has stuck with the same starting five of Elfrid Payton-Reggie Bullock-RJ Barrett-Julius Randle-Mitchell Robinson – all returning players.
However, Wednesday may see Thibodeau’s first shakeup with Bullock listed as questionable with knee soreness. Meanwhile, Alec Burks, expected to return for this homestand, received bad news on his sprained ankle and will be out another one week-to-ten days.
Despite the ailments forcing a short rotation, the Knicks, at 4-3, have their first winning record after seven games since the 2012-13 season when they last made the playoffs.
Thibodeau, 62, keeps getting kudos from his players. Rivers believes they’ve bought in because of his past reputation as a winner.
“Thibs has a respect factor,’’ Rivers said. “Some of the stuff he says – there’s no negotiation. It’s Thibs’ way or the highway. If you’re going to play, you’re going to play his way. His way just means hard. He’s not forcing us to not take shots or you can’t do this. Thibs is just about effort and knowing your role. So every day you do that, you end up buying into a team concept. Then it becomes fun when you see a little bit of success. Ok, this works.”
For now, Rivers, who missed all of preseason, is content coming off the bench – and probably finishing despite not having one official team practice under his belt. In 555 career games, Rivers has made just 149 starts.
“Each game I’ve played I’ve gotten my wind up more and more,’’ Rivers said. “It’s still coming along. It seems like last game I pushed myself and when you do that mentally and confidence-wise, you just get to playing basketball again. You’re not really worrying about your shape.”