What are your expectations for RJ's second season?

[JXL]

I see him averaging 18-20 ppg on 45% fg

SPEAK IT TO EXISTENCE!

RJ IS COMING FOR THE BLOOD OF HIS ENEMIES!

[Knicksfan1992]

The 3 biggest numbers i'll be looking for improvement in are his fg% around the rim, 3 pt %, and free throw. I'm not worried about the rest of his game this year. The volume numbers will look good again as nobody really came to take the ball out of his hands and I think he got an upgrade in the Center position going from Taj to Noel spelling Mitch.

Even if he jumps 2-3% in FG% and 3pt% and 5-10% in FT% he's going to look much more useful and valuable because of what his position is. He'll start to look more and more like a young Derozan with better defense which is what I always hoped he'd turn out to be.

I'm going to say 17.5/6.0/3.5 on 43/34/68 splits. Not exactly efficient but if that's the kind of improvement he can make in his 2nd year, then I think he would be primed for a BIG 3rd year breakout which would be perfect timing with another lottery pick coming in and Mitch needing to get paid.

Was always in on RJ and glad my splits were way off (so far). I'm getting the breakout I thought would happen in year 3 in year 2... What an effing prospect at only 20 years old!

[NYKnickerbocker]

He’s actually doing better or on pace to pass all the guys you mentioned in there second season production

[iLLmatic860]

I see him averaging 18-20 ppg on 45% fg

SPEAK IT TO EXISTENCE!

RJ IS COMING FOR THE BLOOD OF HIS ENEMIES!

As the creator of the "Is Rj a bust" thread. This is proof I'm one of his biggest believers. Growing up I was always told "The eyes dont lie". There's something Ive seen in him.

[DOT]

As the creator of the "Is Rj a bust" thread. This is proof I'm one of his biggest believers. Growing up I was always told "The eyes dont lie". There's something Ive seen in him.

No it isn't

You gave up on him 4 games into his sophomore year

You don't get to retcon that as being one of his biggest believers, it just makes you look like a fair-weather fan.

[2010]

A lot of y’all were right in the mark with 17/6/3 averages. I guess RJ is meeting expectations. I’d say he probably is exceeding expectations due to his 3PT shooting, FT shooting and defense.

Going from the lowest eFG% in the league last season to a clear number 2 on a playoff team has been a huge turnaround.

Yup, 3PT% over 38% now. I don’t thank anyone would have expected that.

[iLLmatic860]

As the creator of the "Is Rj a bust" thread. This is proof I'm one of his biggest believers. Growing up I was always told "The eyes dont lie". There's something Ive seen in him.

No it isn't

You gave up on him 4 games into his sophomore year

You don't get to retcon that as being one of his biggest believers, it just makes you look like a fair-weather fan.

Thread was inspired by other people calling him a bust. I never called him a bust once

[rajajackal]

20/3/league avg FT%

if he falls somewhere in between last season and that, i'm less happy but still happy. need to see free throw shooting improvement more than anything, since he's very good at getting to the line (and not in any annoying, flimsy way either)

well, he's averaging 17 points rather than 20, but he hit the 3 assists mark, league average FT%, and blew the lid off my 3P% hopes which are undocumented here

[Chanel Bomber]

So much pushback in this thread.

His numbers over the last 40 games are the numbers within the range I expected, the 3 point shooting is even better than I could have imagined.

My prediction is looking almost spot on

18.8 PPG 6.2 RPG 3.3 APG

I expect about 18/5.5/3.5 on slightly below-average scoring efficiency.

[Fat Kat]

Read on Twitter

[Polk377]

I think the criticism he received last season and people calling it a terrible rookie season was unjust and hopefully added that extra drive to his preparation for this season. What we know is if he has space to operate, he can get to the basket at will and knows how to use his body to draw fouls and finish strong. He can't come in this season shooting in the low 60s from the line. I expect a jump into the 70-75% range which will increase his ppg numbers by 1-3 extra points. The next improvement I expect is getting his 3 point percentage up to around 36-38% by taking shorter 3s from the corners where he is more consistent. This jump would net him an extra 3-6 points per game. I can easily see RJ averaging 19-25 ppg if there is better spacing and guys that can knock down the open shot around him.

Final prediction: 21 ppg 7 rpg 5 apg 1.5 spg 46 fg% 73ft% 37 3pt%

Not too bad. Not quite 21-7-5 but 18-5-3 is good. Almost dead on with the shooting numbers. 45FG-73FT-37 3PT as of today.

[thebuzzardman]

18.3/6.5/3.2 on 44/34/72

How am I doing?

17.4/5.7/3.0 on 45/37.8/73.5

Not bad. RJ needs to step it up a little so I can be right.

[knicks94]

18.3/6.5/3.2 on 44/34/72

How am I doing?

17.4/5.7/3.0 on 45/37.8/73.5

Not bad. RJ needs to step it up a little so I can be right.

He should definitely be considered in the class of ultimate busts if he doesn't live up to those numbers this season.

[thebuzzardman]

18.3/6.5/3.2 on 44/34/72

How am I doing?

17.4/5.7/3.0 on 45/37.8/73.5

Not bad. RJ needs to step it up a little so I can be right.

He should definitely be considered in the class of ultimate busts if he doesn't live up to those numbers this season.

Absolutely. Only the hottest of hot takes allowed here.

[Fat Kat]

How bad was this guy?