The Knicks and the power of love
RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley blossom with a family approach
BY DAVID THORPE
The Knicks have been a train wreck for years—mostly because they didn’t have good players. But even when they did, whether Stephon Marbury, Amar’e Stoudemire, or Carmelo Anthony, they have generally screwed it up one way or another. Drafting Kristaps Porzingis was wise, but he’s in Dallas now.
RJ Barrett was a McDonald’s All-American, starred at Duke, and was the third overall pick of the draft in 2019. A big guard at 6-6 with ball-handling skills and a feel for scoring, he had the look of a power guard who could bully smaller guys in the paint. Those ball skills suggested he could get to where he needed to go inside too.
Before the draft Barrett announced he wanted to be a Knick. He even refused to work out for the Grizzlies, who had the second overall pick. Barrett’s mom is from Brooklyn, his dad played at St. Johns, and his late grandfather was a die-hard Knicks fan.
Barrett didn’t just want to be on the Knicks, he welcomed the challenge of trying to turn the franchis…
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