RJ Barrett

[Duke4life831]

Anyone a lock to go top 3 should declare. Simple as that.

The only time it makes sense to me to come back is if the players isnt a 1st round lock. The lack of guaranteed contract in the 2nd round is the only reason I feel this. So I can get a player coming back to try and play himself into the 1st round to get that guaranteed contract.

But ya if you know youre going top 3, top 10, lotto or 1st. It would be a no brainer to me.

[Marcus]

merging this too the current RJ thread. It's not that hard to pose the same question in the existing thread.

[azcatz11]

Anyone a lock to go top 3 should declare. Simple as that.

The only time it makes sense to me to come back is if the players isnt a 1st round lock. The lack of guaranteed contract in the 2nd round is the only reason I feel this. So I can get a player coming back to try and play himself into the 1st round to get that guaranteed contract.

But ya if you know youre going top 3, top 10, lotto or 1st. It would be a no brainer to me.

Or if you're the 07 Gators...

That will truly never happen again

[King Ken]

A lot of R.J. hate but he is CLEARLY the 2nd best player in this class. Maybe Morant has a case but that's it

[BilboBanginz]

RJ took over at the end of the Virginia game. 8 of Duke's final 9 points.

[baca]

RJ and Zion did get the most scores in Virginia whole season. They get their score from national top defenders DeAndre Hunter and Ty Jerome. This is good statement their finishing ability can translate to NBA if you believe Hunter is legit good defender in NBA.

[NotACat]

I'm not getting the hype. He has below average vision and passing ability and seems to score on simple drives by overpowering defenders (which I don't think he'll be able to do in the NBA).

Isn't it more likely that he ends up like Wiggins rather than DeRozan?

[clyde21]

I'm not getting the hype. He has below average vision and passing ability and seems to score on simple drives by overpowering defenders (which I don't think he'll be able to do in the NBA).

Isn't it more likely that he ends up like Wiggins rather than DeRozan?

i don't get the Wiggins comp. Barrett has a much more attacking mentality.

also...

Wiggins per40: 21ppg / 7rpg / 2apg

Barrett per40: 29ppg / 8rpg / 5apg

[Duke4life831]

I'm not getting the hype. He has below average vision and passing ability and seems to score on simple drives by overpowering defenders (which I don't think he'll be able to do in the NBA).

Isn't it more likely that he ends up like Wiggins rather than DeRozan?

i don't get the Wiggins comp. Barrett has a much more attacking mentality.

also...

Wiggins per40: 21ppg / 7rpg / 2apg

Barrett per40: 29ppg / 8rpg / 5apg

Ya I'm not the biggest RJ fan, I just don't see this comparison at all. They are actually polar opposite of you were you ask me.

Wiggins in college the thing that was always said was, I wish he wouldn't disappear so much and was more aggressive.

While the thing that gets said about RJ the most is, the guy is too aggressive, he needs to learn to take a step back and play more team ball.

[GreatWhiteStiff]

RJ Barett's dad will definitely not let him coast by on talent shooting a bunch of midrange jumpers, playing soft defence and not getting to the rim/not playing defence (oops repeat)/creating for teammates. So he's different from wiggins.

Eh I don't really know his dad or what he thinks but I'm canadian so I'm an expert on RJ Barett's dad lol.

[GoCeltics123]

I think he's going to bust. Or at least not be as good as everyone thought.

He's a non-shooter (32% three, 70% FT) and has huge tunnel vision. Like he doesn't pass at all. Not great on defense either.

I don't know. I just don't see it.

I think Morant>>>>Barrett.

[MeloRoseNoah]

Not impressed with this overrated chucker.

This Duke team would be unstoppable if they run the entire offense through Zion by giving a mandate of giving at least 20 shots per game. For any game in which Zion gets under 20 shots per game, the entire starting lineup outside of Zion needs to be beaten with military drills for at least 3 hours under the hot sun.

[GreatWhiteStiff]

I think he's going to bust. Or at least not be as good as everyone thought.

He's a non-shooter (32% three, 70% FT) and has huge tunnel vision. Like he doesn't pass at all. Not great on defense either.

I don't know. I just don't see it.

I think Morant>>>>Barrett.

He doesn't pass at all, but he averages almost 4 assists per game. In college. Wiggins had near legendary hype at least entering the nba draft, and he averaged 1.5 asssists per game. I hate the comparisons, but I wanted someone who has tunnel vision. Jabari Parker? I know different position etc. but 1.2 assists in college.

Also its harder to get assists in college ethan in the nba, should consider throwing the ball in the air near the rim will often results in an assist for Barrett.

[King Ken]

Barrett hate is annoying. He is the most sure thing in the top 3. Even as tremendous as Zion is, you wonder about the initial fit and the what ifs. You know Barrett can do his role from the jump. That's not me saying R.J. is more NBA ready than Zion because he is not.

[916fan]

I think he's going to bust. Or at least not be as good as everyone thought.

He's a non-shooter (32% three, 70% FT) and has huge tunnel vision. Like he doesn't pass at all. Not great on defense either.

I don't know. I just don't see it.

I think Morant>>>>Barrett.

He doesn't pass at all, but he averages almost 4 assists per game. In college. Wiggins had near legendary hype at least entering the nba draft, and he averaged 1.5 asssists per game. I hate the comparisons, but I wanted someone who has tunnel vision. Jabari Parker? I know different position etc. but 1.2 assists in college.

Also its harder to get assists in college ethan in the nba, should consider throwing the ball in the air near the rim will often results in an assist for Barrett.

RJ is definitely a better passer than Wiggins, but he's a chucker who is more ball dominant with below average efficiency.

Wiggins had a usage % of 26.3 with 12.1 FGA. 45.2/32/69.6
Barret is at a usage % of 33.3 with 19.5 FGA. 44.8/34.1/77.5

RJ is playing alongside one of the best prospects in NBA history on a good team. There's really no reason why he should be chucking up the ball like this imo. 19.5FGA is just insane. He doesn't need to carry Duke.

[916fan]

Barrett hate is annoying. He is the most sure thing in the top 3. Even as tremendous as Zion is, you wonder about the initial fit and the what ifs. You know Barrett can do his role from the jump. That's not me saying R.J. is more NBA ready than Zion because he is not.

I liked RJ a lot and I even defended him earlier in the season, but I've calmed on him a lot. Still my #2, but he's not even close to Zion anymore. His efficiency is below average and he needs to stop chucking away. As I said in my comment above, 19.5 FGA for a freshman is just insane. It's one thing if you're trying to will your entire team to wins, but you are your team's 2nd best player on a completely stacked team with a generational talent in Zion. Calm down with the shot selection and happy trigger finger. He averages the same FGA Trae did last year...and Trae was carrying a garbage OU team.

[King Ken]

Is it me or is the gap between AD and Beal in his class similar to the gap of Zion and R.J. I do think R.J. is a better prospect than Beal and Zion is a better prospect than AD but still. The gap is huge

[916fan]

Is it me or is the gap between AD and Beal in his class similar to the gap of Zion and R.J. I do think R.J. is a better prospect than Beal and Zion is a better prospect than AD but still. The gap is huge

RJ hasn't really met his preseason expectations. If he had met them, I don't think the gap would've been that big(more like Simmons and Ingram). However, RJ is a great consolation prize for anyone who misses on Zion.

[clyde21]

Barrett is averaging 27.5ppg / 8.7rpg / 4.5apg per 40.

he hasn't been necessarily efficient, but i'm not sure what those 'preseason expectations' were.

[King Ken]

Barrett is averaging 27.5ppg / 8.7rpg / 4.5apg per 40.

he hasn't been necessarily efficient, but i'm not sure what those 'preseason expectations' were.

I think we expected a more consistent and team player. His talent and skills is what we thought and knew