Through three seasons and 121 games in the NBA, Quinn Cook has averaged 7.4 points per game on 47.4 percent shooting from the field, including 41.8 percent shooting from behind the arc, while contributing 1.9 assists and two rebounds per game — not exactly jaw-dropping numbers.
However, what Cook’s raw stats don’t show is his willingness and ability to make big plays and hit big shots, something he said he learned from growing up a die-hard Lakers fan.
During a recent interview with Chris McGee of Spectrum SportsNet, Cook said that watching players like Derek Fisher and Robert Horry made him unafraid to step up in big moments:
“I had a lot of moments in my career where I could have passed it or not got in there and made a play, but I did at a high moment. Especially a guy coming off the bench to hit some big shots in the Finals, or the playoffs, stuff like that — that’s something you always dream of. I grew up watching Robert Horry hit big shots, Derek Fisher hit tremendous shots against Orlando in the Finals, Boston in the Finals, obviously the 0.4 shot. That’s what I always live for and something as a player, that’s why you come in early and stay late just for moments like that.”
Cook most recently showed off his fearlessness against the Toronto Raptors in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. When the Golden State Warriors needed cushion in the fourth quarter, Cook came in and drilled three clutch 3-pointers.
The Warriors went on to beat the Raptors 109-105, thanks in no small part to Cook, who was probably just doing his best Fisher impression.
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