RJ Barrett entering year 3

[BugginOut]

It’s simple. If RJ takes a leap we will be a dangerous team. If he doesn’t we will probably be in the play-in.

Let’s hope RJ can reach that next level.

[F N 11]

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year 3 RJ in a nutshell

[cgmw]

RJ year 3 is another example of the same "nature vs. nurture" argument we always have on this board. On the one hand, RJ is a damn talented blue chip prospect with exceptional upside (nature). On the other hand, the Knicks just demoted him down from #2 scoring option to probably #3 or maybe even #4 behind much more experienced players (nurture).

I feel like the macho messageboard hero/ Dolan-organization thing to say is "eat what you kill." If RJ is so talented, he'll rise to the top. But I also think it's asking a lot for a 21 year old kid to compete for touches against Julius Randle, Kemba Walker, and Evan Fournier. Gun to my head, I'm betting on "nurture" to overcome "nature" and RJ regresses or doesn't improve much. But I can see how his talent might just be enough to rise to the top.

If Leon is as smart as he seems to be, he'll know that RJ's upside (as of right now) is still the best bet this franchise has to compete for a 'chip. Problem is, Thibs just seems like the kind of non-creative offensive coach who will demand that Julius and Kemba dominate the ball, relegating RJ to a lot of release-valve "3 and D" kick outs. Then again, Thibs is also the kind of coach to play RJ 40mpg. So I guess we shall see.

Nothing would make 2021-22 a bigger success than breakout RJ. The city would go batsh*t if he made the All Star Team and he'd be instantly bigger than any Knick since Melo.

[malik959]

I have no problem what so ever with how many touches each player gets, just as long as they share the rock and use it to the best of their abilities. Jalen Brown and Tatum’s numbers increased last year so I don’t see RJ’s numbers decreasing with the additions of Walker and Fournier. I believe that RJ will make a great leap having two willing passers at the one’s and two’s. Also, this team is deep! We have a great future with multiple players who can step up at any given time to a point where our starters should not relax because the bench players will be hot on their tails. This was our best offseason n a long time.

[Chanel Bomber]

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year 3 RJ in a nutshell

The most egregious example of the Knicks' incompetence over the last few years.

I don't think you can do dumber than that.

[Chanel Bomber]

His handles need significant improvement and he needs to show the ability to create his own shot.

The order of priority for me is:

1. Improve finishing at the rim with both hands (he's terrible)
2. Sustain or improve FT percentage
3. Improve handle
4. Develop shot creation

RJ needs to keep improving his efficiency so by year 4 or 5 he's above-average in TS% with a more diverse shot selection.

The more you ask him to create his own shot, the more inefficient he'll surely become. And he can't really afford to be more inefficient than he was his second season, since he was far below-average.

So I think it's key that he finishes at the rim better, and maintains his good numbers from the FT and the 3-point, although some regression from 3 is to be expected, before he starts creating his own shot.

I do hope to see flashes of it in year 3 though.

[Meat]

i expect him to hover around 18ppg but i'm really hoping his assists and ft numbers rise

[Fat Kat]

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[DaGawd]

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Need the game thread for this scrimmage

[Juggynaut]

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[NYKnickerbocker]

RJ with a lil nice middy pull up in there

[moocow007]

RJ with a lil nice middy pull up in there

Yeah if he can develop a Melo like fadeaway jumper from 15 that would help him tremendously. Right now it's mostly long range corner 3 or he barrel's into the lane where he way too often gets stuffed cause his offense isn't very versatile so defenders can anticipate what he's going to do well.

[3toheadmelo]

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Smiff in the cut

[F N 11]

I thought Brickley was the man. Hanlen taking over?? Anyway RJ is going to be a monster. Still looks stiff but effective.

[F N 11]

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year 3 RJ in a nutshell

Im curious of RJ numbers with Payton and without. He was always better in second quarter and second half without him.

[mpharris36]

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year 3 RJ in a nutshell

Im curious of RJ numbers with Payton and without. He was always better in second quarter and second half without him.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/rj-barret-stats-without-elfred-payton-this-season

You don't want to know...or maybe you do.

He avg 20-6-3 on 51% from the field and 45% from 3

[moocow007]

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Smiff in the cut

Funny thing, one of these guys mentioned actually was statistically the best finisher/dunker in the NBA last season...based on percentage of his shots and shots per game taken that were dunks. And it is somewhat surprising.

[Nazrmohamed]

RJ year 3 is another example of the same "nature vs. nurture" argument we always have on this board. On the one hand, RJ is a damn talented blue chip prospect with exceptional upside (nature). On the other hand, the Knicks just demoted him down from #2 scoring option to probably #3 or maybe even #4 behind much more experienced players (nurture).

I feel like the macho messageboard hero/ Dolan-organization thing to say is "eat what you kill." If RJ is so talented, he'll rise to the top. But I also think it's asking a lot for a 21 year old kid to compete for touches against Julius Randle, Kemba Walker, and Evan Fournier. Gun to my head, I'm betting on "nurture" to overcome "nature" and RJ regresses or doesn't improve much. But I can see how his talent might just be enough to rise to the top.

If Leon is as smart as he seems to be, he'll know that RJ's upside (as of right now) is still the best bet this franchise has to compete for a 'chip. Problem is, Thibs just seems like the kind of non-creative offensive coach who will demand that Julius and Kemba dominate the ball, relegating RJ to a lot of release-valve "3 and D" kick outs. Then again, Thibs is also the kind of coach to play RJ 40mpg. So I guess we shall see.

Nothing would make 2021-22 a bigger success than breakout RJ. The city would go batsh*t if he made the All Star Team and he'd be instantly bigger than any Knick since Melo.

I agree but I wouldn't say regress. I remember once when talking about the Cowboys Jimmie Johnson once said that out of his 3 titles the yr they had the worst record he felt that was actually the best team however due to circumstances and competition getting better nobody realized it. Could be the case not just with RJ but with the whole team. This yr we got better talent but individually guys may need to sacrifice personal stats and also the competition got better so we may have a lower win percentage but be better prepared for the playoffs.

But still RJ can't lose sight of his personal development because all it takes (and I'm not rooting for it) is an injury to one of our seasoned players and he's thrust right back into a higher usage. Also when you said that keep what you kill mentality? RJ does need to come into camp with that mentality cause nobody says that Fournier HAS TO be better than RJ. Or at least RJ doesn't need to submit to that. What happens happens but he needs to come into camp looking to ascert his dominance.

But ya know, that's why I wanted Ball. The very same flaws people say he had benefits RJ and his strengths elevate RJ. I wanted a PG attached to the hip with our young players who is a great passer, makes guys like RJ and Julius more efficient by facilitating an offense less geared to isolation. We chose PGs who do the scoring INSTEAD. Anything is better than Peyton I guess.

[Chanel Bomber]

RJ being freed from Elfraud is possibly the most significant development of the offseason.

I don't expect RJ to break out just yet, but there will be no excuses for him anymore.

There was simply no way for him to play to his full potential let alone expand his game with such a ball-dominant, non-shooting, slow and selfish point guard playing alongside him. I always found it difficult to properly assess RJ's game, because our point guard play simply introduced too much noise into the numbers.

The fact that the Knicks brought in Payton (for two years) weeks after selecting RJ was developmental malpractice.

[3toheadmelo]

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Smiff in the cut

Funny thing, one of these guys mentioned actually was statistically the best finisher/dunker in the NBA last season...based on percentage of his shots and shots per game taken that were dunks. And it is somewhat surprising.

Kanter I bet