John Calipari says ‘Kentucky Knicks’ buy into Tom Thibodeau’s system

One day after three of his former players came together for 43 points and 10 rebounds in a win coming from a backup over Cleveland, Kentucky coach John Calipari said the “Kentucky Knicks ”“ buys in ”to Tom Thibodeau’s coaching system.

Julius Randle, Kevin Knox and Immanuel Quickley all added as the Knicks overcame a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Cavaliers, 100-93 at Madison Square yards without fans, and progressed to 2-1 in the preseason.

The Knicks have one more preseason game Friday against Cleveland and will open Wednesday’s regular season against Indiana.

“I like what they do, I like what it’s like,” Calipari said Thursday on a Zoom call when asked about the Knicks. “I like that they’re in a competitive spirit and it looks like again they’ve all bought into what’s going on and how they’re trying to play in New York, so I am happy for them. Happy those three boys. “

Of course Calipari has five players on the “Kentucky Knicks” but Nerlens Noel (sore left knee) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (illness) did not play. Former Wildcats James Young and Skal Labissiere are expected to join Westchester Knicks G League team.

The Knicks finished a Wedneday game with two former Wildcats, Quickley and Knox, on the floor alongside RJ Barrett, rookie Obi Toppin and big man Mitchell Robinson.

Knox, a No. 9 pick in 2018, scored 14 of his 16 points on a 4-of-4 shooting in the fourth quarter, when the Knicks defeated the Cavs, 34-13.

Randle finished with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists and Quickley took nine points and seven assists. Quickley was a plus-19 for the game.

Quickley was a five-star point guard coming out of high school but played the ball at Kentucky as he teamed up with Ashton Hagans and Tyrese Maxey. He finished as SEC Player of the Year and was selected as No. 25 in Draft.

“Coming in, I was trying to tell the NBA teams that I’m like someone who just played off the ball at Kentucky that same year, my sophomore year,” Quickley said. “I can do both and I’m glad the Knicks chose me. “

Quickley had to fight for playing time at Kentucky and that, in turn, helps him at the NBA level.

“Immanuel Quickley said it [Thursday] the best night, Immanuel Quickley stopped and told me what I learned there and where my confidence comes from a coach made us fight for everything, ”said Calipari. “And I took it or someone else took it.”

Calipari, close to Knicks president Leon Rose and executive vice president William “World Wide” Wesley, has previously said the Knicks will not sacrifice the future for today and did not surprise them. they did not engage big nameless reps.

When asked if he thought the “Kentucky Knicks” could still be vying for a playoff spot in the East this year, Calipari said he did not want to “put that on the team or the their employees. ”

But he watches their games and roots hard.