Immanuel Quickley names 1 big difference between Toronto and New York

Jan 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (5) warms up before playing the Cleveland Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Immanuel Quickley was in a reflective mood in his return to New York on Saturday, but there is one aspect of playing for the Knicks that he does not appear to miss.

Speaking to reporters in his return as a member of the Toronto Raptors, Quickley admitted that one thing is particularly different three weeks after being traded: the media outside of New York is a lot more forgiving.

“It’s not the same as far as the media, the scrutiny, the attention, whatever,” Quickley said, via Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “New York is definitely different in that sense.

“I would say the media is a little bit more on you in New York. Y’all are definitely a little bit more … whatever word you want to use.”

Few would dispute Quickley’s point, though you might find some debate over whether that trait is positive or negative. Quickley was quite familiar with the New York media given how often his name came up in trade rumors before he was actually moved in the OG Anunoby trade.

Some athletes have definitely struggled with the scrutiny that comes with playing in New York. Quickley did fine, turning into a valuable bench contributor, but he seems quite content with his starting role in Toronto and a bit less glaring of a spotlight.