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Seeing RJ Barrett develop since his rookie year has been eye opening. He was the #1 HS recruit, drafted 3rd on a star studded Duke team. And was drafted as a 3rd overall pick in the biggest media market in the world. I must say, this kid from all the NY Knicks goes through between the fans and the expectations he’s seriously incredibly mature and poised as a 21 year old.

His rookie year he was raw, on a team with vets that didn’t quite allow him to be himself with Randle, the Knicks had serious spacing issues between Randle, Elfrid, Randle struggling insanely his first year here.

Then his second year he started off slow, and throughout a season where the Knicks and Randle had the most successful season in about 10 years. He took a big jump as a shooter. And made a huge impact as a solid defensive player. But was more of a role player role on that playoff team.

Now going into his third season he’s pretty much in the same case as his rookie season in terms of awful team chemistry, and having to deal with the toxicity of Julius Randle. As the Knicks played through Randle and Fournier, RJ struggled, and in December he was battling illness pretty much all month and you can tell his energy was hindered.

With Randle struggling, causing issues within the organization, not speaking to the media. He left it all for RJ to take over that role as the face of the franchise. So someone had to take the ball and go. And now RJ can finally play his game.





RJ has taken his 3rd year leap, and playing like he was as a #1 HS recruit. Like it’s his team and can actually play his game. Even in games he struggles, he plays extremely aggressive, and when he struggles from the 3, he gets back into the gym. Not to mention his elite defense and leadership.

Tom Thibodeau’s system unfortunately is holding RJ back, along with Julius Randle. Once RJ gets in a fast pace system and when it’s officially his team I believe he’ll break out into a household star.

Kid is mentally impressive to do this in NYC, from a 19 year old and when he went through his struggles he completely shut down the noises and hate he got from the league between not being on an all rookie team and not being listen in u25 lists. Incredible, impressive kid to see his development..

What he did matched up against LeBron last night is all you had to see to understand how determined RJ is to put the team on his shoulders, and lead this group. Had at least 5 highlights, dunked on AD and WB, his a game tying 3. Few weeks ago he hits a buzzer beater to win the game. He’s beginning to trust himself especially late into the game. Knicks just have to build around Grimes, Cam, and Obi and that team being super athletic is perfect for RJ to be the primary ball handler. Going to be an incredible fast pace team once the Knicks get rid of Burks, Randle, and Fournier. Can’t wait to see who he is once it’s his team.

Thought on his development from a NBA fan aspect?

Depends on the definition of a star.

PPG: 17.9
RPG: 5.7
APG: 2.5
Splits: 41.6/35.3/69.3
PER: 13.5
TS: 51.8

Doesn’t meet the criteria of a star for me.

HoopsterJones wrote:Depends on the definition of a star.

PPG: 17.9
RPG: 5.7
APG: 2.5
Splits: 41.6/35.3/69.3
PER: 13.5
TS: 51.8

Doesn’t meet the criteria of a star for me.

context man. He struggled earlier into the season. If you watch the Knicks, you understand Randle, Burks never pass the ball. And he was playing a corner 3 shooter because Thibs had him playing that role. Now Thibs see how RJ been playing, now he’s playing with freedom to play how he plays. Knicks have the ugliest, slow pace, low IQ offense where they just iso and Jack contested 3’s. Especially Burks playing point guard thinking he’s Kobe.

He’s averaging 23 ppg since then on 44% FG & 40% from 3. In the last 18 games. If you can’t see the potential as a 21 year old, you’re just a hater

Not a chance in hell. 13/26/.049/.52 PER/USG/WS48/TS% An absolute trash can.

No. No, he's not.

I like the kid, but cool it with hot takes on GB already.

Is Memphis a contender, is Anthony Edwards a top 30 player, is RJ a star, is Wiggins the single worst all star starter ever, is Campazzo the single worst player in the league, is Gary Trent a top 5 SG... And that's just in the last 48 hours

This entire new hot take culture is built solely on dealing in absolutes. And prematurely. Most people hate on the media spouting this nonsensical hot take talking points just to stir up drama and generate traffic, yet they do exactly the same on here.

Close this up. Guys are fools

Mallie wrote:No. No, he's not.

I like the kid, but cool it with hot takes on GB already.

Is Memphis a contender, is Anthony Edwards a top 30 player, is RJ a star, is Wiggins the single worst all star starter ever, is Campazzo the single worst player in the league, is Gary Trent a top 5 SG... And that's just in the last 48 hours

This entire new hot take culture is built solely on dealing in absolutes. And prematurely. Most people hate on the media spouting this nonsensical hot take talking points just to stir up drama and generate traffic, yet they do exactly the same on here.

This board has people that **** on SAS but now exclusively post as SAS.

It's ironic.

RandlesCornrows wrote:

HoopsterJones wrote:Depends on the definition of a star.

PPG: 17.9
RPG: 5.7
APG: 2.5
Splits: 41.6/35.3/69.3
PER: 13.5
TS: 51.8

Doesn’t meet the criteria of a star for me.

context man. He struggled earlier into the season. If you watch the Knicks, you understand Randle, Burks never pass the ball. And he was playing a corner 3 shooter because Thibs had him playing that role. Now Thibs see how RJ been playing, now he’s playing with freedom to play how he plays. Knicks have the ugliest, slow pace, low IQ offense where they just iso and Jack contested 3’s. Especially Burks playing point guard thinking he’s Kobe.

He’s averaging 23 ppg since then on 44% FG & 40% from 3. In the last 18 games. If you can’t see the potential as a 21 year old, you’re just a hater

The stats are the stats. If he was terrible for most of the season and has been much better for 18 games, great. Does it equate to him performing this way for a full season? We have not seen it yet. I did not say he will never be a star, but he certainly is not one now. He’s not Ja Morant.

Lmao RJ is finally a decent starter and now we are calling him a star...

I think RJ will continue to get better for you guys, its hard not to root for him.

RandlesCornrows wrote:

HoopsterJones wrote:Depends on the definition of a star.

PPG: 17.9
RPG: 5.7
APG: 2.5
Splits: 41.6/35.3/69.3
PER: 13.5
TS: 51.8

Doesn’t meet the criteria of a star for me.

context man. He struggled earlier into the season. If you watch the Knicks, you understand Randle, Burks never pass the ball. And he was playing a corner 3 shooter because Thibs had him playing that role. Now Thibs see how RJ been playing, now he’s playing with freedom to play how he plays. Knicks have the ugliest, slow pace, low IQ offense where they just iso and Jack contested 3’s. Especially Burks playing point guard thinking he’s Kobe.

He’s averaging 23 ppg since then on 44% FG & 40% from 3. In the last 18 games. If you can’t see the potential as a 21 year old, you’re just a hater

Bruh, you really think 18 games mean something? Average/bad players get into hot streaks all the time.

Hold in to your horses bucko, RJ isn't a lion at the circus just yet.

The simplest indicator on a player about to turn into a star, is by being considered in the all the all star snubs team, and Barrett's name is no where near there. In fact Barrett has been a huge disappointment so far, given his basketball background family. I would expect he would at least demostrate a high level of bball iq, but so far he looked very average. His (lack of) drive and desire to win reminds me of Wiggins.

Nope. People need to realize the difference between high usage numbers and Star numbers. And personality, which he lacks, is a major component of being a star. RJ is a solid #3, far from a star

Not even close. Cherry picking a handful of games doesn't qualify. For example, Kyle Kuzma averaged 22.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists on 51% from the field and 34% from three in January. No one on the Wizards board proclaimed him as a "star" during that span. Players go through hot streaks. Sample size matters.

Stars are consistent, R.J Barrett and the New York Knicks are not.

kenwood3333 wrote:The simplest indicator on a player about to turn into a star, is by being considered in the all the all star snubs team, and Barrett's name is no where near there. In fact Barrett has been a huge disappointment so far, given his basketball background family. I would expect he would at least demostrate a high level of bball iq, but so far he looked very average. His (lack of) drive and desire to win reminds me of Wiggins.

Saying RJ is nowhere near being a star is ridiculous. And saying his drive and desire to win aren’t high? He’s gotten insanely better since his rookie year. He’s getting closer to being a 20 ppg scorer and is already a very good defender at 21. He’s just scratched the surface on what he can be.

I like him. I still think he will be a regular All-Star in the future, maybe 2/3 years from now.

As for most young star players, he needs to improve his shooting and ballhandling. The faster and sooner he does that, the better the chances are that he could be the #1 player on a team.

I don't know, yet, if he could reach All-NBA (= top 15, or even better, in any given season) status, that's still not clear and we need a better sample size to determine... but All-Star status (top 25) seems very reachable in a couple of years from now.

A combination of playing hard and having a good head on his shoulders is a good recipe for success, and he seems to have both as far as I can see.

I could see him being a marginal All Star, who sneaks in once or twice. Very good piece, for sure and he seems like a hard worker

Trade Randle, let RJ be the leader of the team. Watch the results.

Replacement-level inefficient player who shoots a lot on a bad team=RealGM SooperDooperStar