Why Derrick Quinn woke up ‘excited’ in the middle of a grueling rookie season

The stress of the NBA rookie season can wear down even the most prepared first-year players. For New Orleans Pelicans rookie Derrick Quinnhowever, the physical demands are matched by a growing respect for the All-Rookie opportunity in front of him, even when it results in a sudden jolt in the middle of the night.

Quinn was one of James Borrego’s rotation mainstays during an injury-riddled season. However, the physical toll of playing over 1,000 minutes before the All-Star Game months after some offseason rehab work is it doesn’t really have an effectnevertheless.

“I feel good. I was just thinking about it. I forgot about the three months I was out,” Quinn said. “I actually woke up in the middle of the night thinking about it. I’m just excited for the opportunity to show (down the road).”

The excitement of finally being on the floor, finally getting a chance to prove himself in the league, completely overshadowed the memory of the break. When asked to pinpoint his favorite moment so far, a play that contained some joy in a lost season, Quinn didn’t pick a poster highlight or a career-high scoring night. Instead, the rookie chose a moment of pure basketball intellect.

“When we played Portland, at halftime we talked about shots and how we don’t have to do the extra dribble,” Quinn explained. “The shots were open, and they were pressuring us from the sideline. I got the ball, took one dribble, and then he swung it to (Sadiq Bey) and he made a three. That was a nice pass.”

In a league often obsessed with dunks and isolated scoring, Quinn’s favorite play was a simple swing pass that resulted in a 3-pointer. It was a play born out of a halftime adjustment. It’s just something that is encouraging the Pelicans. Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver have invested in someone who values ​​playing the game the right way.

Between midnight revelations about her own resilience and the pleasure she finds in making the right read at the right time, Quinn seems to be settling into her rookie season with a quiet confidence. The minutes are piling up, the lessons are piling up, and for now the Maryland alum is just excited for the opportunities ahead, one sleepless night at a time.