Official RJ Barrett Thread

[Phish Tank]

For those that watch a lot of Knick’s games could somebody give a more detailed breakdown of his game.

Spoiler:

I'll give it to you:

1) Currently, his MO is driving into the paint at full will. If you want to know his go-to move, it's a pistol action that leads to RJ mostly getting a strong side layup. It's not a surefire success, but it's the best outcome.

2) The second-best (or arguably the first) is getting to the free throw line. Now I don't know how the refs will officiate him now outside of NY, but he likes to get into the paint and draw fouls. In the past, he wasn't a great FT shooter, but has significantly improved this year. He did have a bad game from the line on Friday, so keep that in mind in case he does regress in January.

3) The problem I had with RJ's drives to the paint is that he did it under the premise that Mitchell Robinson would grab the offensive rebound and either have a putback dunk or a kickout for an open 3. Therefore, it was an unintended hockey assist of sorts that kills his efficiency. He hadn't had that luxury with Mitch out and his efficiency cratered. Funny enough, he's really poor at finishing in traffic. Far too many plays in transition out on the break where he simply can't finish strong. He gets his shot blocked a lot, largely due to his mediocre athleticism and the fact that he stupidly added unnecessary bulk to his frame over the past 2 offseasons. He's quite slow, at least compared to a lot of comparable wings. He needs to spend time losing weight and working on that conditioning of his. I also question his diet. He felt like the 2nd slowest guy on the Knicks, which isn't good because he was the 2nd youngest Knick.

4) His perimeter shot is a mystery. There are days where it goes in and days where he's literally 20% on wide open shots. I don't think the work he's doing with Hanlen has translated. He needs to find a new shot doctor and work with Steve Nash over the summer because his mechanics are just off. Whereas a lot of star players can hit the wide open jumpshot, RJ simply cannot. That's a major problem.

5) Hopefully someone teaches him to get out of tunnel vision.

6) On the opposite end, he's not a bad defender if and when focused. He doesn't have an OG-like wingspan, but can hold his own at times. Now, you can't ask him to guard Bron or Giannis, but he can take on Jimmy a bit. Sometimes is prone to carelessness, and it's even worse with the boneheaded turnovers.

7) If Darko can get him to embrace a more limited role at the onset, that will be the best for the team and for RJ. However, if RJ tries to become Maple Mamba at the jump, prepare to be disappointed. The biggest mistake in RJ's development is the lack of adversity he's faced throughout the start. He's always been the "guy" whether in Canada, HS, and even in Duke playing alongside Zion. That has negatively impacted his development.

Thank you. Do you think he is self aware enough to address his mistakes. If he views this as a Wiggens situation when traded to GS that I’m not actually the player I want to be think I am. Adjust his game to be a solid defender can attack as a 3rd option player I have hope. If he views this as I’m the main player that Toronto wanted. This could be a problem.

Well that's a great question. I honestly don't know. I know that the team has largely protected him after bad games. You hardly year a word from RJ when he has a stinker, which is quite often over the past few years.

I think Hanlen hasn't helped - or perhaps RJ isn't a great student. The book on RJ is that he's a hard worker, but Thibs alluded that RJ isn't working hard enough putting shots up after and between games or even in shootaround.

I just worry that a homecoming will just further motivate RJ to embrace his Maple Mamba bad habits, which will only be a detriment to his future success with the Raps. He's really been the man everywhere he has been. Sure, he was never an alpha scorer, but I don't think anyone wanted to see RJ hoist up 20-25 shots a game. It's not a sight to watch.

He does need a mentality change, but that requires embracing more of a role player trajectory. But he has to want it. Typically, trades like these operate like a reset for underachieving players. It happened to Wiggins. RJ has to embrace that reset because the current way he plays hasn't worked and won't work in the future.

[Reeko]

Spoiler:

I'll give it to you:

1) Currently, his MO is driving into the paint at full will. If you want to know his go-to move, it's a pistol action that leads to RJ mostly getting a strong side layup. It's not a surefire success, but it's the best outcome.

2) The second-best (or arguably the first) is getting to the free throw line. Now I don't know how the refs will officiate him now outside of NY, but he likes to get into the paint and draw fouls. In the past, he wasn't a great FT shooter, but has significantly improved this year. He did have a bad game from the line on Friday, so keep that in mind in case he does regress in January.

3) The problem I had with RJ's drives to the paint is that he did it under the premise that Mitchell Robinson would grab the offensive rebound and either have a putback dunk or a kickout for an open 3. Therefore, it was an unintended hockey assist of sorts that kills his efficiency. He hadn't had that luxury with Mitch out and his efficiency cratered. Funny enough, he's really poor at finishing in traffic. Far too many plays in transition out on the break where he simply can't finish strong. He gets his shot blocked a lot, largely due to his mediocre athleticism and the fact that he stupidly added unnecessary bulk to his frame over the past 2 offseasons. He's quite slow, at least compared to a lot of comparable wings. He needs to spend time losing weight and working on that conditioning of his. I also question his diet. He felt like the 2nd slowest guy on the Knicks, which isn't good because he was the 2nd youngest Knick.

4) His perimeter shot is a mystery. There are days where it goes in and days where he's literally 20% on wide open shots. I don't think the work he's doing with Hanlen has translated. He needs to find a new shot doctor and work with Steve Nash over the summer because his mechanics are just off. Whereas a lot of star players can hit the wide open jumpshot, RJ simply cannot. That's a major problem.

5) Hopefully someone teaches him to get out of tunnel vision.

6) On the opposite end, he's not a bad defender if and when focused. He doesn't have an OG-like wingspan, but can hold his own at times. Now, you can't ask him to guard Bron or Giannis, but he can take on Jimmy a bit. Sometimes is prone to carelessness, and it's even worse with the boneheaded turnovers.

7) If Darko can get him to embrace a more limited role at the onset, that will be the best for the team and for RJ. However, if RJ tries to become Maple Mamba at the jump, prepare to be disappointed. The biggest mistake in RJ's development is the lack of adversity he's faced throughout the start. He's always been the "guy" whether in Canada, HS, and even in Duke playing alongside Zion. That has negatively impacted his development.

Thank you. Do you think he is self aware enough to address his mistakes. If he views this as a Wiggens situation when traded to GS that I’m not actually the player I want to be think I am. Adjust his game to be a solid defender can attack as a 3rd option player I have hope. If he views this as I’m the main player that Toronto wanted. This could be a problem.

He does need a mentality change, but that requires embracing more of a role player trajectory. But he has to want it. Typically, trades like these operate like a reset for underachieving players. It happened to Wiggins. RJ has to embrace that reset because the current way he plays hasn't worked and won't work in the future.

It worked for Wiggins because he went to a team with an established superstar, pecking order and culture. RJ is coming into a situation where that isn't the case. He can't have the same usage he had with the Knicks, especially if Pascal ends up staying. I don't think RJ is long for the Raptors to be honest, I would be surprised if he finished out his current contract with us.

[LoveMyRaps]

Seeing so much hate directed towards RJ.
He's going to prove a lot of folks wrong.

I believe in him.

[WuTang_CMB]

I remember watchinf this one. One of the best games of his career and doing it in 2nd round. Theres hope for him. He just needs to simplify his game and work on his shooting. The quick decision offense will help him succeed too.

https://youtu.be/VzRnNeEa9T8?si=XLVGBWlDaFvBLGsQ

[PhilBlackson]

Sorry I'm just not that excited about RJ.

Of course rooting for him but he is a tunnel vision ballhog. He had all the hype coming out of HS as a potential #1 overall & he plays like he still thinks he's that. His stats at one point were comparable to a washed Westbrook where like him he just forces the issue. I would love nothing more than if he cleans those things up and becomes more accepting of a lesser role but I don't bank on that happening.

[SpezNc]

I might be in the minority but I am pumped about getting RJ Barrett back as the salary filler in the trade.

He is only 23 and still room to improve

I understand he has not met the high expectation of being a top3 draft pick and that he is a flawed player.

Still I am pumped.

He is the perfect salary filler.

He fit perfectly Barnes and IQ timeline.

Hopefully he clean up his game with small but important improvements and can become a fixture on our rotation for years to come.

Obviously IQ is the prize for that trade.

No IQ = no trade.

Still I am pumped.

It may not work out. But I refuse to write him off before he even starts

We should give him a chance IMO.

[carlosey]

Barrett is a good player. Certainly will be one of the very few in the raps that can go to the rack and finish with contact. He can get you a bucket when you are struggling.

He will be playing a completely different system here so it'll be interesting to see how it works but to write him off specially with what weve seen all year is pretty wild. Thibodau runs a crappy offense anyea, Barrett is definitely a good asset and may find consistency and improvements in a new scenery.

[deck]

My expectations for Barrett are not high, but to outright dismiss a 23 year old as a finished person/product is crazy. He got drafted into a pretty terrible situation where he immediately had to take on a bigger role than he should have. Let's see how he adapts to playing alongside Barnes instead of Randle.

[bboyskinnylegs]

I'm curious to see how the rivalry aspect with Scottie will factor into things

[Reeko]

Seeing so much hate directed towards RJ.
He's going to prove a lot of folks wrong.

I believe in him.

People are believing in what they've seen from him up to this point. He has his strong aspects, and I do think that him and Scottie can be a dynamic duo, but he's got to evolve as a player. He's still young, so I'm hoping that he can develop more within our system more than he did with the Knicks. What I, and so many others are afraid of is that he is ultimately a high usage player that feels he merits the usage rate that he's been handed in New York instead of a player that stream lines his game to being a winning role player. The jury is still out on him but I would say that by his second season with us, if he hasn't improved the fan base will want him gone. The potential is there, he should be able to be a similar if not better version of what DeMar was with us, but people aren't going to give him a long run way as he is already 23 years old and 5 years into the league. So if by the time he's 25 he hasn't adapted his game the calls for him to be traded will be loud and in full effect.

[DelAbbot]

Seeing so much hate directed towards RJ.
He's going to prove a lot of folks wrong.

I believe in him.

Remember when Banton said it's better for his development to not be in Toronto, due to all the distractions from being a local boy?

RJ has a Rudy Gay type of feel

[Reeko]

Seeing so much hate directed towards RJ.
He's going to prove a lot of folks wrong.

I believe in him.

Remember when Banton said it's better for his development to not be in Toronto, due to all the distractions from being a local boy?

RJ has a Rudy Gay type of feel

Banton is from a part of the city with a lot of neighbourhood politics that he was seemingly unable to separate himself from. RJ is from Sauga and devoid of that type of drama.

[ArthurVandelay]

Seeing so much hate directed towards RJ.
He's going to prove a lot of folks wrong.

I believe in him.

Remember when Banton said it's better for his development to not be in Toronto, due to all the distractions from being a local boy?

RJ has a Rudy Gay type of feel

Banton is from a part of the city with a lot of neighbourhood politics that he was seemingly unable to separate himself from. RJ is from Sauga and devoid of that type of drama.

And 4+ seasons under his belt as a 3rd overall pick playing for the Knicks.

He knows about pressure and criticism.

[Scase]

Seeing so much hate directed towards RJ.
He's going to prove a lot of folks wrong.

I believe in him.

People are believing in what they've seen from him up to this point. He has his strong aspects, and I do think that him and Scottie can be a dynamic duo, but he's got to evolve as a player. He's still young, so I'm hoping that he can develop more within our system more than he did with the Knicks. What I, and so many others are afraid of is that he is ultimately a high usage player that feels he merits the usage rate that he's been handed in New York instead of a player that stream lines his game to being a winning role player. The jury is still out on him but I would say that by his second season with us, if he hasn't improved the fan base will want him gone. The potential is there, he should be able to be a similar if not better version of what DeMar was with us, but people aren't going to give him a long run way as he is already 23 years old and 5 years into the league. So if by the time he's 25 he hasn't adapted his game the calls for him to be traded will be loud and in full effect.

One of the least efficient players in the NBA, needless to say, my expectations are ridiculously low.

[hyper316]

Barrett's target is to follow Wiggin's transformation in GSW 2021. Focus on 3 and D.

[And1+2]

Honestly, I hope we flip him. RJ is not a good basketball player, it won't take long for this board to despise him.

[Raps in 4]

Honestly, I hope we flip him. RJ is not a good basketball player, it won't take long for this board to despise him.

It's going to be hard to flip him because he sucks. The best course of action is to try and fix him. He's still only 23.

[And1+2]

Honestly, I hope we flip him. RJ is not a good basketball player, it won't take long for this board to despise him.

It's going to be hard to flip him because he sucks. The best course of action is to try and fix him. He's still only 23.

I can't see our coaching staff fix anything. Contrary, I believe that they will encourage his bad habits.

The sad thing is, going from a Knicks whistle to a Raptors whistle is going to completely neutralize one of the only good spots of his game, which is drawing fouls.

If RJ turns it around here, I'll gladly eat crow. He's not going to, though.

[Raps in 4]

Honestly, I hope we flip him. RJ is not a good basketball player, it won't take long for this board to despise him.

It's going to be hard to flip him because he sucks. The best course of action is to try and fix him. He's still only 23.

I can't see our coaching staff fix anything. Contrary, I believe that they will encourage his bad habits.

If RJ turns it around here, I'll gladly eat crow. He's not going to, though.

Our organization is exceptional at player development. It's one of the few things we're good at. We literally just turned Scottie into an elite 3pt shooter after he entered the league unable to hit the broad side of a barn. We turned nobodies like FVV and Siakam into All-Stars.

RJ is probably a bust, but if anyone can fix him, it's us.

[And1+2]

It's going to be hard to flip him because he sucks. The best course of action is to try and fix him. He's still only 23.

I can't see our coaching staff fix anything. Contrary, I believe that they will encourage his bad habits.

If RJ turns it around here, I'll gladly eat crow. He's not going to, though.

Our organization is exceptional at player development. It's one of the few things we're good at. We literally just turned Scottie into an elite 3pt shooter after he entered the league unable to hit the broad side of a barn. We turned nobodies like FVV and Siakam into All-Stars.

Some players have the tangibles though. RJs issue is that he doesn't have a great feel for the game, and he has terrible court vision and he has tunnel vision.

Those issues are harder to fix than a bad shot (which is also has).