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8516knicks wrote:"One thing that also should be noted is that Thibs has called out RJ's lack of work ethic multiple times when he's in shooting slumps." This is new to me. All u used to hear here is how hard a worker he was. Is he really CAM 2 in disguise?
3toheadmelo wrote:Buttah304 wrote:3toheadmelo wrote:Honestly I dont even blame Hanlen for his poor results with RJ. Hanlen has actually been working on RJ with his jumper off the dribble for years now. In fact I remember him saying last summer it was their main focus. RJ has a very robotic shooting motion and he dribbles the ball like those players in the 50s did. RJ would have to start from scratch if he wanted to develop a more natural shooting motion and completely new dribble movements and I dont think Hanlen wants to do that. If you look at his clients like Tatum, Beal, Lavine, etc they all were exceptionally good ball handlers and had fluid shooting forms from young. Basically they naturally talented and skilled since HS. There's honestly not much hope for RJ in my eyes. I never even wanted him when he was in Duke. It's like asking Frank to develop Kyrie type handles. You need to have a solid base/foundation to get to a respectable level and RJ doesn't have that at all.
One thing that also should be noted is that Thibs has called out RJ's lack of work ethic multiple times when he's in shooting slumps. I find that pretty eye opening for someone that is supposed to be such a hard worker. It seems like the opposite. RJ throwing up an air ball yesterday is unacceptable and shows a lack of preparation.
This is a very fair take. The one thing that you pointed out that I vividly remember being a focus was off the dribble shooting. It’s not that I want Hanlen to shoulder a lot of the blame persay - but I feel like he might have skipped some steps with RJ. Off the dribble shooting is normally associated with premier scorers in this league (which we know RJ fancies himself so that’s a fault of his own). But I can’t help but think that RJ missed out on some rudimentary skills 4 years into his career. I’m talking little things like floaters, touch around the rim, mid range jumpers, up and under moves and some basic hesitation dribbles. I’m not disagreeing with what you’re saying - I guess I’m looking at it from the standpoint of he wanted to focus on off the bounce creation but might have missed some foundational building blocks along the way. Either way I still believe upgrading the SF spot in the starting lineup is paramount to this teams long term and sustained success.
They actually worked on all of that last summer
You can see he even tried to get him work on basic dribbles into a hezi/pull up a couple years ago
Everything in those clips looks very slow and robotic. I think RJ needs a complete rehaul of his handles for everything to fall into line. I do wish we saw RJ use a floater though like you said. I know for a fact Hanlen worked with Tatum last summer finishing around the rim and helped him develop a floater in his game and he made a big jump as a finisher this season. But then again, it's much easier for Tatum to get into his spots to use a floater cause his handle is much better than RJs. RJ can't create much seperation so he's always trying to bully his way to the rim.
Honestly at this point, our best way to develop him is into a 3 and D guy. Focus on catch and shoot 3s and play hard nosed defense. Forget about trying to be a scorer cause its never happening.
Luv those Knicks wrote:I've defended RJ in the past, but I'm in the trade him camp now. Maybe on the right team he can step up. Not sure who they get in return at this point.
Maybe RJ surprises us and has some big playoff games. He's had some good games this year. He's just too inconsistent.
duetta wrote:RJ needs to shoot threes all summer.
NYKnickerbocker wrote:I see you, work that magic
Stackhouse was way more athletic. And a way better scorer. Cmon now. RJ will never average 30 a game.ctorres wrote:Is RJ a taller/bulkier Jerry Stackhouse?
Clearly the talent is there and he'll have a streak of games where he is insanely good, but on average by the numbers is inefficient as a scorer? Also, occasionally he is really athletic but his athleticism doesn't show consistently?
I hope that makes sense
aggo wrote:3toheadmelo wrote:Buttah304 wrote:
This is a very fair take. The one thing that you pointed out that I vividly remember being a focus was off the dribble shooting. It’s not that I want Hanlen to shoulder a lot of the blame persay - but I feel like he might have skipped some steps with RJ. Off the dribble shooting is normally associated with premier scorers in this league (which we know RJ fancies himself so that’s a fault of his own). But I can’t help but think that RJ missed out on some rudimentary skills 4 years into his career. I’m talking little things like floaters, touch around the rim, mid range jumpers, up and under moves and some basic hesitation dribbles. I’m not disagreeing with what you’re saying - I guess I’m looking at it from the standpoint of he wanted to focus on off the bounce creation but might have missed some foundational building blocks along the way. Either way I still believe upgrading the SF spot in the starting lineup is paramount to this teams long term and sustained success.
They actually worked on all of that last summer
You can see he even tried to get him work on basic dribbles into a hezi/pull up a couple years ago
Everything in those clips looks very slow and robotic. I think RJ needs a complete rehaul of his handles for everything to fall into line. I do wish we saw RJ use a floater though like you said. I know for a fact Hanlen worked with Tatum last summer finishing around the rim and helped him develop a floater in his game and he made a big jump as a finisher this season. But then again, it's much easier for Tatum to get into his spots to use a floater cause his handle is much better than RJs. RJ can't create much seperation so he's always trying to bully his way to the rim.
Honestly at this point, our best way to develop him is into a 3 and D guy. Focus on catch and shoot 3s and play hard nosed defense. Forget about trying to be a scorer cause its never happening.
this is why summer workouts dont mean chit.
Mitchell Robinson has like 20 summer videos of him swishing threes like nothing. but can he do it in a game? no.
thebuzzardman wrote:Luv those Knicks wrote:I've defended RJ in the past, but I'm in the trade him camp now. Maybe on the right team he can step up. Not sure who they get in return at this point.
Maybe RJ surprises us and has some big playoff games. He's had some good games this year. He's just too inconsistent.
I've engaged in some RJ bashing lately, some of it pretty obviously unfair, but it's fun!
He's "ok", which is disappointing for a #3 pick, but that happens.
However, he's not really a quality 3rd option for the Knicks, which they need.
Grimes isn't there yet either. IQ MIGHT be, but he's also needed for backup PG duties.
Knicks could try to be patient and see if RJ pans out in a couple of more years. I mean, Mikal Bridges is breaking out. In year 6. Almost 5 years older than RJ.
Hart plays really well but I'm not sure he's a starting SG and seems better suited to 6th man.
So, if the Knicks want to keep RJ, where to play him? Start him but reduce his minutes like they've been doing?
In effect, RJ is basically like a bench player who starts right now.
Knicks either wait until/if Grimes improves, until/if RJ improves, or use either one or both to get a more legit option.
I guess IQ could be trade bait as well, but he feels more important to the team than RJ or Grimes.
I'm not so much bashing RJ, just that it seems it's either RJ or Grimes and picks as the basis of any theoretical trade and right now I'd rather trade RJ IF there was a trade to be made. It could even wind up being the wrong move, as RJ breaks out and Grimes stays at "ok"
decisions decisions
Governor Dudley wrote:Stackhouse was way more athletic. And a way better scorer. Cmon now. RJ will never average 30 a game.ctorres wrote:Is RJ a taller/bulkier Jerry Stackhouse?
Clearly the talent is there and he'll have a streak of games where he is insanely good, but on average by the numbers is inefficient as a scorer? Also, occasionally he is really athletic but his athleticism doesn't show consistently?
I hope that makes sense
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Luv those Knicks wrote:I've defended RJ in the past, but I'm in the trade him camp now. Maybe on the right team he can step up. Not sure who they get in return at this point.
Maybe RJ surprises us and has some big playoff games. He's had some good games this year. He's just too inconsistent.
Ma10 wrote:If he would, at least, have the athleticism of a guy like Ant!
