The Bearded One: Quincy Acy
By Owen Sanborn
After recently being assigned to write for the New York Knicks, I spent upwards of an hour contemplating what I should write about.
Most writers on nearly every basketball media conglomerate have dove into the rises and falls of the triangle offense and whether or not Carmelo Anthony will live up to the expectations of his new contract. So after much thought, I refrained from following suit and repeating what others have said.
Instead, I re-watched some of the Knicks games so far this season and was taken aback by the inspired play of one Quincy Acy. Inspired so much that I thought he deserved to have a post dedicated entirely to him.
Here goes nothing.
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Quincy Acy does not look like the prototypical NBA power forward. He stands at an undersized of his position 6’7″ tall, can’t dribble or shoot and chooses to intimidate his opposition with his rabbi-like facial hair and Kendrick Perkins-like demeanor.
Watching him so far this season has been equally exciting and excruciating. He is just as likely to throw down a monster slam with more force than anyone in the NBA, as he is to blow a wide open layup (in case you were wondering, both have happened so far).
Acy looks like he is on the wrong side of 30 instead of the tender age of 24, but that just adds to his unrivaled persona. His slick bald head eloquently complements his furry face. He is the epitome of a grizzly bear trapped in a basketball player’s body.
Add a headband around his noggin and he will officially become the reincarnation of Reggie Evans, who was coincidentally his teammate last season in Sacramento.
Each time Acy receives the ball within the triangle offense is must-watch television. You know when you watch a hate-watch a TV show just to mock it? A similar experience takes place whenever Acy is given the ball at the top of the key and is expected to dribble.
He has no offensive repertoire, and is basically used as a battering ram/handoff facilitator within the Knicks dreadful offense.
I think all of us that used to play junior varsity basketball in high school can relate to this (well, at least I can).
He will on occasion hoist up a memorable midrange jump shot, or even a running hook. Much to the chagrin of Knicks fans like Grantand’s Jason Concepcion:
Through his short career that spans three-plus seasons, Acy has averaged a measly 3.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, but that hasn’t stopped him from having a whole 2013-14 season highlights YouTube video being created in his honor.
Fast forward to the 2:08 mark and be prepared to be enchanted by the thundering fury of the bearded one. Feel free to pour one out for Marcin Gortat afterwards.
Players like Acy simply do not exist in today’s NBA game. He is a throwback to the days of the ’80s and ’90s where players were judged more on body hair and girth, rather than shooting touch and ability to space the floor.
His beard game is unmatched, his hook shot is grotesque and he attempts to tear the rim down every time he has the opportunity to touch it. If he played in the days when backboards used to shatter into pieces, he would top the list of guys who could potentially accomplish that feat in today’s game.
These are all very strong components of being the ultimate NBA garbage man and will undoubtedly lead to a long career that parallels the aforementioned Reggie Evans.
I hope Acy is able to capture the heart of Knicks fans who will be searching for anything to grasp onto after watching Melo isolate at the top of the key for the 25th time in one sitting.
His blue collar game should resonate well with New York, similarly to how Anthony Mason and Charles Oakley were celebrated during Pat Riley‘s tenure with the Knicks in the ’90s.
Even if he is unable to capture the heart of New York and finds himself on his fourth team in four years next season, he will always have a soft spot in mine.
Thank you Quincy, for helping me not write about the triangle offense and for being my favorite rabbi-bearded, grizzly bear in the NBA.