This isn't Eddie Giacomin or Mark Messier returning to the Garden wearing flashy Red Wings or Canucks outfits, this isn't Patrick Ewing in the eye-sore Sonics uniform he once wore, or a disgusting burgundy. Nor is it Clyde Frazier in his uniform. Cavaliers gold medal. It's not Tom Seaver, who tipped his hat on his first day at Shea Stadium as a Cincinnati Red, or Reggie Jackson, who reached the old stadium's upper tank as a California Angel.
The truth is, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley were only here for a brief moment. Combined, they played just 500 games with the Knicks. They never drove up the Gorge of Heroes. They never made the All-Star Game orange and blue. Regardless of how they end up as professional basketball players, the best part is going to happen for the Raptors and other teams, barring a future reunion.
But they should still receive a warm welcome Saturday night when they play their first game at the Garden as the Raptors and, more strictly, as the former Knicks.
“I don't know what they're going to do, but I love the fans,” Barrett told The Post's Stephen Bondi earlier this week.
Knicks regular. Noah K. Murray writes for the New York Post
That sentiment was echoed by those fans by a wide margin for both Barrett and Quickley. Barrett may have arrived as something of a consolation prize with a bronze medal in the 2019 draft, following in the footsteps of Zion Williamson and Jay Morant, but his work ethic and dedication to improving his game Due to his efforts, he quickly gained popularity among garden enthusiasts. In each of his five years.
Quickley also quickly became a fan favorite, showing a fearless drive and ability to connect with the regulars. Both players were in slumps and there were occasional groans during the brawl, but no matter what sport you play or what uniform you wear, that's the New York soundtrack.
They both got New York. And we both loved New York.
Barrett told Bondi: I made no attempt to engage in any interaction. One thing to know about Knicks fans is that they want to win. They want to win as much as the players, if not more. It was a big deal for me to understand that. ”
And in his farewell words to the Players Tribune, Quickley wrote: When you step on the court every night, you're playing for your team more than anything else. But because of the way you all embraced me, I was able to play for something bigger than myself and my team. Every night, deep down, I was playing for you. ”
There's a problem here too. Fans have a good understanding of whether their sports commitments are being properly invested. Giants fans have never wondered if Eli Manning and Justin Tuck are exactly who they say they are. Same goes for Mets fans and David Wright, or Yankees fans and the core four.
Barrett's No. 9 quickly became popular among Knicks pre-teen and pre-teen fans. Quickley's matches drew as many screams as roars because they appealed to younger kids. And what he did well was much more relatable to kids than, say, Giannis Antetokounmpo putting his elbow above the rim and grabbing a rebound.
They liked it here. And it showed.
And now they're gone, but those exiles didn't come amidst the usual harsh words and ill-feeling culprits. This really, really seems like a win-win trade for everyone. The Knicks acquired OG Anunoby, and his two-way game fills a big hole in the team's makeup (and puts Anunoby in position to score in overtime). Born in Toronto and raised 25 miles away in Mississauga, Barrett returns to his hometown as a conquering hero. Now unleashed, Quickley hopes to score in free agency, possibly in the nine figures.
win. win. win. win.
So there's little question as to how this will play out Saturday night, video tribute or not. Both will be in the Raptors' starting lineup. The cheers should be loud and long. This is New York. This is a garden. We know how to salute old friends and we know how to appreciate memories. Even if we're all just getting used to saying hello when we say goodbye.
