Scase wrote:deck wrote:Scase wrote:I wasn't saying he was bad, just that it was an alright game from a tanking team against a tanking team. People are talking about how he is a core piece, 30 games into a tank year. Let's let this breathe a bit, calling Gradey a bust after 20-30 games was just as silly as claiming RJ is a keeper.
His game is still incredibly limited, for him to be a core piece, he needs to be more than just a slasher IMO. I will say though, his passing is looking better, I'm just not ready to crown him permanent so soon.
Did you watch the game? Cause he played a very well rounded game, quite the opposite of 'incredibly limited'.
You specifically responded to the post with lols about how this wasn't a good game to comment on RJs play. I think most people who actually watched the game would say he played very well, even if it was against Washington.
7 of his 9 made FGs were layups and 1 dunk, he was cutting to the basket, or driving against a bad defender. There is nothing expansive about his offence. His offensive game is very limited, this is just irrefutable fact, shot charts exist. He has a game, that vs good defensive teams/in the playoffs, is easy to shut down. He needs a mid range shot, or a very good 3pt shot.
There's nothing wrong with having a limited game as long as he can be effective. Dude can be a #2-3 scorer on the team. What he needs to work on is his all-round shooting, but at the moment, being a situational catch and shooter is fine too.
If you look back at the Knicks board, they were complaining last playoffs on how Randle was outperformed by RJ.
Randle (28 years old)
vs CLE: 14.4 PPG 33.8 FG%, 23.5 3P%
vs Miami: 18.8 PPG 41.1 FG%, 28.1 3P%
RJ (23 years old)
vs CLE: 17.4 PPG 44.1 FG%, 25 3P%
vs Miami: 20.8 PPG 42.7 FG% 37.8 3P%
Both Cleveland and Miami have very good defenses. Keep in mind that his shot selection and the Knick's situation wasn't great for him to begin with. Quickley also struggled much more than either RJ/Randle, and he was going against bench players.
You don't need every core piece to be perfect. Pretty much every player on our roster has some major limitations for their respective positions/roles. Core pieces can also still be traded, happens all the time.
If he maintained or goes back to his shot selection and style of play during the Knicks, then we'd have a major problem in terms of his fit and usefulness.