Is RJ Barrett a beast?

[cgf]

Thybulle is limited in who he can guard, he's great at the 1-2 and some 3s, but the bigger wings give him trouble. The Celtics wings take turns scorching him because he's just too small to really bother either of them. He's more of a team defender than he is a man to man guy, where as RJ has more versatility in who he can guard on a man to man basis.

RJ has struggled with giant wings too.

Which is my main concern with him at SF though that position fits his skill set better. Bigger wings give him problems. I know the Knicks tend to use wings and don’t really stress SG or SF but the way he just bodies most SG’s I wish we could just have him hunt those match ups.

All will be well when we draft Ziaire to pair with him

[DowNY]

For a guy who is an average athlete, he needs to be a knockdown shooter. He's reminding me more and more of Evan Turner. Hope I'm wrong.

Lol that Evan Turner comp pissed me off back then and still pisses me off now when I see it. Makes no sense.

[cgf]

For a guy who is an average athlete, he needs to be a knockdown shooter. He's reminding me more and more of Evan Turner. Hope I'm wrong.

Lol that Evan Turner comp pissed me off back then and still pisses me off now when I see it. Makes no sense.

Eh, playmaking wing with good size and a questionable shot...I can see where that comp came from. It just neglected that RJ was a lot more talented despite sharing an archetype with Turner/Evans.

[DowNY]

Lol that Evan Turner comp pissed me off back then and still pisses me off now when I see it. Makes no sense.

Eh, playmaking wing with good size and a questionable shot...I can see where that comp came from. It just neglected that RJ was a lot more talented despite sharing an archetype with Turner/Evans.

There’s not one point in his career where I thought Evan Turner was a good starter.

[cgf]

Lol that Evan Turner comp pissed me off back then and still pisses me off now when I see it. Makes no sense.

Eh, playmaking wing with good size and a questionable shot...I can see where that comp came from. It just neglected that RJ was a lot more talented despite sharing an archetype with Turner/Evans.

There’s not one point in his career where I thought Evan Turner was a good starter.

Not saying he was, just that they had similar strengths and weaknesses as prospects...and I was one of the suckers who was high on Turner as a prospect

[NYKnickerbocker]

Wasn’t turner like Obi’s age when he came into the lg and still ain’t have a jumpshot

[cgf]

Wasn’t turner like Obi’s age when he came into the lg and still ain’t have a jumpshot

IIRC he was IQ's age, rather than an octogenarian like Obi.

[nedleeds]

Lol that Evan Turner comp pissed me off back then and still pisses me off now when I see it. Makes no sense.

Eh, playmaking wing with good size and a questionable shot...I can see where that comp came from. It just neglected that RJ was a lot more talented despite sharing an archetype with Turner/Evans.

There’s not one point in his career where I thought Evan Turner was a good starter.

Your SG/SF going 0-21 and then 3-25 from 3 on wide open mostly catch and shoots isn't a good starter either. Which RJ was at the time, here's hoping that is behind him and he can settle in at the mid to high 30s for the rest of the year.

[Juco24]

I think the one big thing that can always make me side eye RJB even when he's going well is the way he frequently can't finish off one foot. It makes him look slow and vulnerable to blocks and recovering defensive players on plays that should have high probability of conversion (layups and dunks).

He did it in the first half against the Clippers today on that semi-break play. Open court, defender trailing, and he comes to a two-foot stop. Still made the basket, but the defender actually was right in the play because of it.

Regardless, I'm really excited at how much more efficient he's looked recently. Having more composure and control is a beautiful addition to his game.

I disagree it has anything to do with launching, more like getting the defender to draw a and1.
He does this frequently when he gets past defenders in half court too, and other times he doesn't stop at all or even accelerates when the defender is right at his side. Harden does it all the time. Changing of speed to bait the defender should never be conflated with slowing down.

Agreed... RJ wanted the defender to foul him and he's really good at changing pace midstream. He's just in control of himself as opposed to going too strong. The good Dr was famous for knowing when to accelerate or decelerate as I'm noticing RJ has this knack

[ctorres]

RJ last 18 games...

31.6 mpg
16.8 ppg
47.3% fg's
42.9% 3pt fg's
78.1% ft's
5.3 rpg
2.6 apg

Not a bust!!!

[Jalen Bluntson]

There are 62 voters who are clueless what a bust is. Show yourself!

[dakomish23]

Next up. Obi to shut up haters

[cgf]

Next up. Obi to shut up haters

He's going to crush his over-40 rec league this summer.

[dakomish23]

Next up. Obi to shut up haters

He's going to crush his over-40 rec league this summer.

Pile it on. I’m sure it will age well just like the takes in this thread

[DaGawd]

There are 62 voters who are clueless what a bust is. Show yourself!

Still standing.. still strong

[DaGawd]

RJ gotta perfect the old man game/Skill part of his game to make up for his lack of natural athleticism. I’m still befuddled to how he’s so meh athletically with his body type...

[Jalen Bluntson]

There are 62 voters who are clueless what a bust is. Show yourself!

Still standing.. still strong

You still think he's a bust? I called him one in the very beginning...like two games in! I think the kid has what it takes to be a pretty good player. I am down with letting him grow here as a Knick.

[cgf]

Next up. Obi to shut up haters

He's going to crush his over-40 rec league this summer.

Pile it on. I’m sure it will age well just like the takes in this thread

I'm pretty confident that my Obi takes will age just as well my RJ takes did

(check the obi is a bust thread)

[K_ick_God]

16.5
43 / 30

Those aren't great yet but the ain't bad for a young guy. He's in striking distance, a few points in each category north and he's in the upper echelon of the NBA. His game translates better than a ball dominant PG and a chunky PF ... and we have Q and Randle to hold down those spots anyway!

[knickabocker88]

Marvin Williams / Harrison Barnes ceiling.

It worried me that he couldn't beat Huerter off the dribble.

Hopefully the Jumpshot & Confidence continues to improve.