Official Welcome to the Knicks... The Maple Mamba!!

[BeagleBoss]

The Knicks allowed the media to blow a lot of smoke up Barrett's butt with all this savior talk. Gotta sell those tickets! Oh wait, we sell out even when we only win 17 games.

Seriously, the Knicks, RJ, his dad, and his agent, all should've shut that kind of talk down and lowered the expectations bar. Rather, they all seemed to bask in it. I think that might've helped somewhat. Of course, the media would still be playing that angle. So maybe this is a bump in the road and he'll just get more comfortable as we begin the season. I also think being out on the floor with some of the veterans will take a lot of pressure off of RJ and that will also help him get comfortable so he can let his skill take over.

There's still a little issue with his release though he doesn't appear to be kicking out his left leg as much. We see a lot of these kids don't have good fundamental shooting mechanics coming out of high school.

i can only recall RJ saying he's ready for the moment, but that he's a rookie and here to learn and go through it like all other rooks.

"I was built for this"

Plus, he didn't dismiss the "savior" talk. Trust me, there was a fair amount of basking going on. I know baskers when I see them.

You're nitpicking. No sane person expects a 19 year old kid to save a franchise in year 1.

[Nazrmohamed]

i can only recall RJ saying he's ready for the moment, but that he's a rookie and here to learn and go through it like all other rooks.

"I was built for this"

Plus, he didn't dismiss the "savior" talk. Trust me, there was a fair amount of basking going on. I know baskers when I see them.

You're nitpicking. No sane person expects a 19 year old kid to save a franchise in year 1.

I do distinctly remember him in his own presser with Braz next to him tempering expectations by saying something to the effect of "I just got here and for now I'm just part of the team". Actually I shouldnt have quoted that as its paraphrasing but something to that effect. People just need a villian in NY.

We need vilians more than heroes in this town. And what kills me is that it always comes from within our very own fan base. Why not actually be a fan. It's as if being a fan or supporter is the uncool thing to do. Ok ok, we know you gotta look smart by being cynical. We get it. If you look too excited it might not work out so if you're cynical then in the end nobody can say told you so. So different, so much of a rebel, March to the tune of your own drum. Its annoying

[HarthorneWingo]

"I was built for this"

Plus, he didn't dismiss the "savior" talk. Trust me, there was a fair amount of basking going on. I know baskers when I see them.

You're nitpicking. No sane person expects a 19 year old kid to save a franchise in year 1.

I do distinctly remember him in his own presser with Braz next to him tempering expectations by saying something to the effect of "I just got here and for now I'm just part of the team". Actually I shouldnt have quoted that as its paraphrasing but something to that effect. People just need a villian in NY.

We need civilians more than heroes in this town. And what kills me is that it always comes from within our very own fan base.

I apologize and I agree with your comments Nazr. (I let the fun I was having trolling all the RJ fans the first two SL games take over. The devil made me do it! )

But he still isn't starting.

[HarthorneWingo]

i can only recall RJ saying he's ready for the moment, but that he's a rookie and here to learn and go through it like all other rooks.

"I was built for this"

Plus, he didn't dismiss the "savior" talk. Trust me, there was a fair amount of basking going on. I know baskers when I see them.

You're nitpicking. No sane person expects a 19 year old kid to save a franchise in year 1.

Oh, I definitely agree. But you watch. If he's not in the starting lineup when the season starts, watch all the hair-pulling.

[ny-n-md]

The Knicks allowed the media to blow a lot of smoke up Barrett's butt with all this savior talk. Gotta sell those tickets! Oh wait, we sell out even when we only win 17 games.

Seriously, the Knicks, RJ, his dad, and his agent, all should've shut that kind of talk down and lowered the expectations bar. Rather, they all seemed to bask in it. I think that might've helped somewhat. Of course, the media would still be playing that angle. So maybe this is a bump in the road and he'll just get more comfortable as we begin the season. I also think being out on the floor with some of the veterans will take a lot of pressure off of RJ and that will also help him get comfortable so he can let his skill take over.

There's still a little issue with his release though he doesn't appear to be kicking out his left leg as much. We see a lot of these kids don't have good fundamental shooting mechanics coming out of high school.

i can only recall RJ saying he's ready for the moment, but that he's a rookie and here to learn and go through it like all other rooks.

"I was built for this"

Plus, he didn't dismiss the "savior" talk. Trust me, there was a fair amount of basking going on. I know baskers when I see them.

I think he exhibits confidence more than anything. I actually like that trait in him, because it shows how driven he is to achieve greatness. Whether or not it happens is another story but the belief is there.

Don’t fall into the media trap, check this clip at around 4:32

Watch on YouTube

They are always trying to set us up. RJ doesn’t feel that way about himself. He has a humble confidence. He knows it will take work and is willing to put in the work to get there.

[Oscirus]

I love that he got punched in the throat early in his career. So many of our rookies recently have hit the floor running just to hit the wall and not be able to ultimately overcome. It's intriguing watching it happen this early just to see how they adapt.

The off the ball defense, really aint there yet, his scoring could use quite a few tweaks, but his rebounding and passing's on point, if he forms some nice chemistry with Knox Mitch and Randle, it'll be awesome for all involved parties.

[Jose7]

Watch on YouTube

[Clyde_Style]

You're nitpicking. No sane person expects a 19 year old kid to save a franchise in year 1.

I do distinctly remember him in his own presser with Braz next to him tempering expectations by saying something to the effect of "I just got here and for now I'm just part of the team". Actually I shouldnt have quoted that as its paraphrasing but something to that effect. People just need a villian in NY.

We need civilians more than heroes in this town. And what kills me is that it always comes from within our very own fan base.

I apologize and I agree with your comments Nazr. (I let the fun I was having trolling all the RJ fans the first two SL games take over. The devil made me do it! )

But he still isn't starting.

Hmmmmm

[Cookies4Life]

This kid is going to be a stud. I think a lot of his critics forget how busy he was the moment he left Duke; he only worked out for the Knicks and aside from that he's been mainly doing interviews and I'm sure he wasn't playing much ball after the draft. It was probably a very chaotic time in his life the past couple months.

He needed to shake some rust off as evident of his poor performances the first couple SL games. He definitely doesn't lack confidence in his game or ability which is great because you need amnesia after having poor performances especially in an 82 game season.

If he gets ample opportunity for PT this year, I don't see how he couldn't contend for ROY. He has a well rounded game, all he needs to do is tighten his handles, sharpen his perimeter shot and FT shooting a bit and he'll be a stud for a long, long time.

[HerSports85]

Watch on YouTube

[regGQ]

The eye test on his good and bad games so far just tell me it doesn’t look like this guy has one elite ability. Dude looks like the Myplayer you start with on 2K

He looks awkward driving, keeps fumbling the ball with a little bit of pressure and always stops dribbling when he’s trying to break down a defender (ie. no handles). Even in his past two games where’s he’s played well I can’t help but be unimpressed by him on tape.

[RHODEY]

The eye test on his good and bad games so far just tell me it doesn’t look like this guy has one elite ability. Dude looks like the Myplayer you start with on 2K

He looks awkward driving, keeps fumbling the ball with a little bit of pressure and always stops dribbling when he’s trying to break down a defender (ie. no handles). Even in his past two games where’s he’s played well I can’t help but be unimpressed by him on tape.

That kinda reminds me ofwhat they said about this guy....



He like Barret just puts his head down.....and fills up stat lines.

[Polk377]

This kid is going to be a stud. I think a lot of his critics forget how busy he was the moment he left Duke; he only worked out for the Knicks and aside from that he's been mainly doing interviews and I'm sure he wasn't playing much ball after the draft. It was probably a very chaotic time in his life the past couple months.

He needed to shake some rust off as evident of his poor performances the first couple SL games. He definitely doesn't lack confidence in his game or ability which is great because you need amnesia after having poor performances especially in an 82 game season.

If he gets ample opportunity for PT this year, I don't see how he couldn't contend for ROY. He has a well rounded game, all he needs to do is tighten his handles, sharpen his perimeter shot and FT shooting a bit and he'll be a stud for a long, long time.

He should get in touch with Tim Martin who is training Frank Ntilikina. A lot of the same aspects Frank is working on RJ needs help with. I think RJ knows where he needs to improve and will put the work in before the season starts.

[HarthorneWingo]

We should've traded down and got more assets including this guy. Check out Nickeil Alexander-Walker. I would've been happier with this guy and Hachimura.

Watch on YouTube

[blanko]

Rj can be a great passer its important that we dont force him to be jr smith. Nurture a complete and efficent game. Because with the right guidance i can see rj becoming a triple double guy.

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[blueNorange]

he's going to have a lot of triple doubles in his career.

[King Ken]

The eye test on his good and bad games so far just tell me it doesn’t look like this guy has one elite ability. Dude looks like the Myplayer you start with on 2K

He looks awkward driving, keeps fumbling the ball with a little bit of pressure and always stops dribbling when he’s trying to break down a defender (ie. no handles). Even in his past two games where’s he’s played well I can’t help but be unimpressed by him on tape.

That kinda reminds me ofwhat they said about this guy....



He like Barret just puts his head down.....and fills up stat lines.

What's crazy is this is not a bad comparison.

[Jesus Juice]

We should've traded down and got more assets including this guy. Check out Nickeil Alexander-Walker. I would've been happier with this guy and Hachimura.

Watch on YouTube

Good call after some SL games were played...

[DaGawd]

The eye test on his good and bad games so far just tell me it doesn’t look like this guy has one elite ability. Dude looks like the Myplayer you start with on 2K

He looks awkward driving, keeps fumbling the ball with a little bit of pressure and always stops dribbling when he’s trying to break down a defender (ie. no handles). Even in his past two games where’s he’s played well I can’t help but be unimpressed by him on tape.

That kinda reminds me ofwhat they said about this guy....



He like Barret just puts his head down.....and fills up stat lines.

What's crazy is this is not a bad comparison.

I compared him to Luka. Neither will blow you away athletically but both get to where they want on the floor and can facilitate for others

[King Ken]

That kinda reminds me ofwhat they said about this guy....



He like Barret just puts his head down.....and fills up stat lines.

What's crazy is this is not a bad comparison.

I compared him to Luka. Neither will blow you away athletically but both get to where they want on the floor and can facilitate for others

That was my base for him as a prospect was Luka. Not the same. Luka clearly is a better player. But both three prong. Both stats look better than the eye test unless you are talking to Luka stans who think he is god. Both just find away. Luka has more elite qualities but R.J. has a higher defensive ceiling.

People issue with R.J. is he is a Black guy with a game that just not visually pleasing. Even less than Harden's. When you are white like Luka, people are just surprised you can go. But when you are Black and a star, it's like Michael Jordan, they want it to be ohhhh and ahhhh. They want that pop! R.J. game a herky jerky. It's not always efficient. It's highly skilled but not pretty. You watch it less impressed than ever and then you see 30/9/9 and like, wtf! Even his shot is tough to bare. The moves don't look natural but effective. You just think, wait till this guy guards him but he just does it over and over. The best skill I like that he is learning Luka had to learn is changing tempos. He is now doing that and he is killing it. That's why Jokic and Luka do just as good as anyone as well as Harden. R.J. got an elite white man's game. People don't like looking at it. They don't like it when it's someone white doing it but you know, the surprise element of a white man is always intriguing. R.J. doesn't benefit from it.

I been on the record for saying this was a no brainer for the Knicks. Even though I had Cam Reddish #2 on my big board for the Hawks, I had R.J. at #2 on my big board in general with a tied (Morant). Not quite as good as Luka but R.J. to me has the same ceiling to me and both players will put up numbers. R.J. is as polished a prospect you will see.