Official RJ Barrett Thread Part 2

[PushDaRock]

An awesome addition to the team.

So his efficiency has been pretty rough this season, at 55.7% TS. December was good; March has started out pretty well, but he's been so bad at the line that he's really struggling to be efficient a lot of the time (especially in January). If he can get back north of 70%, then that should actually solve a lot of his problem. And he's been killing it from the corner again. Working on a career-high 3P% from the corner, actually, as it happens. So that has been nice to see.

His D looks better. His passing looks considerably better. Lots to be happy about with RJ. Much more with RJ than with Scottie, actually.

His TS% on the year is being dragged down from November when his USG rate was over 30%. With Scottie this year, his TS% is at 58.1%. Without Scottie this year, he's at 50.9 TS%. Fixing the FT shooting will definitely help significantly. It's been a bit odd to see him as a Raptor shoot the 3 ball at 37.3% while also shooting only 64.5% from the line. You see those shooting splits sometimes from guys that don't get to the line often but not usually from someone that gets there fairly consistently.

[tsherkin]

Like we all thought we were getting NY RJ, even me, but RJ's performance is now really making me question if IQ should be the one dealt instead. (and yes RJ won't ever become a good defender, but his numbers overall have been impressive for what we all thought we were getting)

It's an interesting thought, as long as we have a proper playmaker running alongside him. He's doing well for us in the role he's currently filling. This lines up with what many, myself included, had noted earlier: he isn't a #1 and he needs someone else to set the table, but he can be reasonable. His FT% is now his biggest impediment.

Of the two, I'd rather trade IQ.

His TS% on the year is being dragged down from November when his USG rate was over 30%.

OCT: 57.6%
NOV: 52.2%
DEC: 59.3%
JAN: 55.0%
FEB: 57.6%
MAR: 60.5%

It's actually November and January which are dragging his whole month down, with October and February being just league average (+0.1%). And of course March is too new to count yet, but he's doing great so far.

It's been a bit odd to see him as a Raptor shoot the 3 ball at 37.3% while also shooting only 64.5% from the line. You see those shooting splits sometimes from guys that don't get to the line often but not usually from someone that gets there fairly consistently.

Nah, it's pretty normal. It's because he's crushing it from the corner, Bruce Bowen style. He's shooting 34% above the break and 44.6% from the corners.

[dballislife]

it looks like rj has added more to his inside game hes improved his handles, backing you down better, posting up inside, improved his footwork, has added a nice spin move too, hes getting off these push shots and hooks and floaters around the basket and making em...hes been really good at getting inside the paint either making a lay up or attempting these close inside shots, or else hes taking a open 3 and being so efficient

[ImaBeatDatAzz]

So glad we didn’t trade, looking efficient

[GoRapstheoriginal]

I swear to god you 2 if you F*cking just jinxed him!!! Grrrrr!!! (mostly tongue in cheek)

But yes, GO RJ! GO Canada!

[VanWest82]

RJ's become so good without the ball slipping into empty space and being a threat to score. He seems confident in those above the break threes too. That's huge for the offense.

Out of everyone on the team outside of maybe Scottie, RJ should be the biggest priority to retain moving forward.

[manjusaka]

I kinda think RJ has the most leadership qualities among our younger players(including BI).

[tsherkin]

RJ's become so good without the ball slipping into empty space and being a threat to score. He seems confident in those above the break threes too. That's huge for the offense.

Out of everyone on the team outside of maybe Scottie, RJ should be the biggest priority to retain moving forward.

We'll see. He has a lot of individual efficiency, and that's a major improvement. But as far as impact, he hasn't made a major step forward. Which I think is at least a little weird, and I probably won't care about it until more of the season has gone by. He's been playing well, so we'll see if the numbers start to catch up to that for us. BI is the one whose role seems to be really the lynchpin, beyond Scottie hitting 3s, so I think it might bear a little more observation.

But I'm excited about what RJ has been doing, honestly. He's being used properly, and he appears to be thriving, even if his plus/minus numbers aren't really stunning.

[PushDaRock]

RJ's become so good without the ball slipping into empty space and being a threat to score. He seems confident in those above the break threes too. That's huge for the offense.

Out of everyone on the team outside of maybe Scottie, RJ should be the biggest priority to retain moving forward.

Haven't checked the data on this but from the eye test it looks like he has improved his cutting. Previously, he was really good coming off pin downs catching the ball off curls, which were not really captured in the off ball stats.

Main thing is really team success. If this team actually wins a good amount of games, paying the tax will be more justified to keep our players.

It's a bit odd that he seems to opt for above the break threes instead of corner ones. He's still making them at a decent clip but he's even better at the corners and there are definitely times when he could drop down further to there instead of staying on the wing for his catch and shoot 3's.

[PushDaRock]

it looks like rj has added more to his inside game hes improved his handles, backing you down better, posting up inside, improved his footwork, has added a nice spin move too, hes getting off these push shots and hooks and floaters around the basket and making em...hes been really good at getting inside the paint either making a lay up or attempting these close inside shots, or else hes taking a open 3 and being so efficient

58% from 3-10 ft on the year compared to 36% career from there. Having something to go to when he can't get all the way to the rim has helped a lot. I don't expect that number to stay that high but even getting it to 50% will be a positive for him. I don't think he needs a mid range jumper but the push shot and floaters are absolutely necessary for him.

Assisted 2's are also up to 56% vs 46% last year. We are seeing him get back to doing the things he was doing when he first got here and he's been really effective as a result.

[PushDaRock]

RJ's become so good without the ball slipping into empty space and being a threat to score. He seems confident in those above the break threes too. That's huge for the offense.

Out of everyone on the team outside of maybe Scottie, RJ should be the biggest priority to retain moving forward.

We'll see. He has a lot of individual efficiency, and that's a major improvement. But as far as impact, he hasn't made a major step forward. Which I think is at least a little weird, and I probably won't care about it until more of the season has gone by. He's been playing well, so we'll see if the numbers start to catch up to that for us. BI is the one whose role seems to be really the lynchpin, beyond Scottie hitting 3s, so I think it might bear a little more observation.

But I'm excited about what RJ has been doing, honestly. He's being used properly, and he appears to be thriving, even if his plus/minus numbers aren't really stunning.

Not going to read into the advanced stats that much yet. The bench has absolutely dominated and Ingram has been one of our worst players if we are going by those alone. But, we can see his impact beyond that in the amount of tough half court shots he has hit for us to bail us out of bad possessions. There's no stat for that but it's an extremely valuable skill especially for a team lacking in it.

[MEDIC]

He's got that DD type steady growth. He's a worker.

Raptor for life baby!

[tsherkin]

Not going to read into the advanced stats that much yet. The bench has absolutely dominated and Ingram has been one of our worst players if we are going by those alone. But, we can see his impact beyond that in the amount of tough half court shots he has hit for us to bail us out of bad possessions. There's no stat for that but it's an extremely valuable skill especially for a team lacking in it.

Yeah, it's early, I agree. I'm not clear why they aren't showing great things for him, but I have been very happy with how RJ has been playing, and his box score results.

[YogurtProducer]

it looks like rj has added more to his inside game hes improved his handles, backing you down better, posting up inside, improved his footwork, has added a nice spin move too, hes getting off these push shots and hooks and floaters around the basket and making em...hes been really good at getting inside the paint either making a lay up or attempting these close inside shots, or else hes taking a open 3 and being so efficient

58% from 3-10 ft on the year compared to 36% career from there. Having something to go to when he can't get all the way to the rim has helped a lot. I don't expect that number to stay that high but even getting it to 50% will be a positive for him. I don't think he needs a mid range jumper but the push shot and floaters are absolutely necessary for him.

Assisted 2's are also up to 56% vs 46% last year. We are seeing him get back to doing the things he was doing when he first got here and he's been really effective as a result.

I know I was one who said he would improve being back in a supporting role rather than being a #1 or #2 guy most nights. There was really no reason to think he figured it out in 2024 late and forgot in 2025.

Time we stop labeling him as a bad shooter either. He is a 36-37% guy IMO which is more than adequate, especially if IQ gets back up to 38-39% and Ingram is in that range as well.

[Agimat]

Is Cam Whitemore better than RJ yet?

[YogurtProducer]

Is Cam Whitemore better than RJ yet?

The Whitmore lovefest on here will never not be funny to me. Whatever he did to justify that much fanfare blows my mind

[mtcan]

So...still a 6th man???? Seriously...those takes are the worst ever.

[TheGeneral99]

Is Cam Whitemore better than RJ yet?

The Whitmore lovefest on here will never not be funny to me. Whatever he did to justify that much fanfare blows my mind

He got way overhyped after having a solid rookie season on a really bad Rockets team.

The reason why he fell in the draft was not because of talent but because of his IQ and attitude.

[tsherkin]

So...still a 6th man???? Seriously...those takes are the worst ever.

This is a bit premature. Our tenth game of the season is later this evening. Things could turn on a dime in an instant. We need to see that RJ can do this for an extended period of time. I think many of us are hopeful he can, but it isn't the time for harsh counter-takes.

[vini_vidi_vici]

RJ's become so good without the ball slipping into empty space and being a threat to score. He seems confident in those above the break threes too. That's huge for the offense.

Out of everyone on the team outside of maybe Scottie, RJ should be the biggest priority to retain moving forward.

We'll see. He has a lot of individual efficiency, and that's a major improvement. But as far as impact, he hasn't made a major step forward. Which I think is at least a little weird, and I probably won't care about it until more of the season has gone by. He's been playing well, so we'll see if the numbers start to catch up to that for us. BI is the one whose role seems to be really the lynchpin, beyond Scottie hitting 3s, so I think it might bear a little more observation.

But I'm excited about what RJ has been doing, honestly. He's being used properly, and he appears to be thriving, even if his plus/minus numbers aren't really stunning.

Depends by how you define impact...

This yr, 114.3 ORTG while on court, +0.2 Net
Last yr, 110.1 ORTG, -3.4 Net

The Raps are a positive with him on the floor which is big, and the offense has been great with him on the floor too. SUre its been better with him off, but hes (and the rest of the SL, are playing the better comp) being break even is big improvement. I think we sometimes get too bogged down with _______ starter vs the bench (or some combo of bench + starters), if hes a + Net, im generally good with it.

Also, hes 24th among 147 qualifiers in shooting above expected FG% (+7.4%).