Is RJ Barrett a beast?

[Clyde_Style]

Yeah, he's def not a bust. Can we chage it to, "When will RJ be an All Star?"

Ive heard this several times tonight amongst many Knick fans and especially non Knick fans
We all heard that.

I wouldn't call him a bust. Hes def a rotation player
Agree

But at a top 3 pick. I dont see the star potential off these last 4 games
That's the problem with looking at a few games at the start of the season for a second year player.

He started playing better once this thread was made, for the sake of the Knicks we should never change the title of this thread.

My Hope is that this thread lives long for the next 15 years.

In that case, please start a thread that says I'm poor as dirt and surrounded by ugly women. TIA

[ellobo]

"Somehow we've weathered and witnessed
a player that isn't broken,
but simply unfinished."

--Amanda Gorman

[N Y K]

"Somehow we've weathered and witnessed
a player that isn't broken,
but simply unfinished."

--Amanda Gorman

I'll allow it and applaud it...

[SelbyCobra]

I think the one big thing that can always make me side eye RJB even when he's going well is the way he frequently can't finish off one foot. It makes him look slow and vulnerable to blocks and recovering defensive players on plays that should have high probability of conversion (layups and dunks).

He did it in the first half against the Clippers today on that semi-break play. Open court, defender trailing, and he comes to a two-foot stop. Still made the basket, but the defender actually was right in the play because of it.

Regardless, I'm really excited at how much more efficient he's looked recently. Having more composure and control is a beautiful addition to his game.

[BugginOut]

Read on Twitter

Best move I've seen from RJ all season

[jstudabaka]

Read on Twitter

Best move I've seen from RJ all season

Looking like a left-handed Kobe

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Name a better two way player from the 2019 draft, matter of fact he's quickly approaching best defensive player from that draft overall. Only Thybulle and maybe Martin are on his level defensively on the wing, and they're soon to be 24 and already 25.

[Juco24]

This mofo battled Leonard Mano Mano and came out with what I'd say was a draw. This mofo is ONLY 20 and hasn't played 80 games yet! Let that sink in

[blueNorange]

just like how i said rj will be fine, obi will be fine.

now shut up.

[K_ick_God]

I think the one big thing that can always make me side eye RJB even when he's going well is the way he frequently can't finish off one foot. It makes him look slow and vulnerable to blocks and recovering defensive players on plays that should have high probability of conversion (layups and dunks).

He did it in the first half against the Clippers today on that semi-break play. Open court, defender trailing, and he comes to a two-foot stop. Still made the basket, but the defender actually was right in the play because of it.

Regardless, I'm really excited at how much more efficient he's looked recently. Having more composure and control is a beautiful addition to his game.

Good post. He's an interesting composite in that he does some stuff athletically well, not pure jumping but a combination of physical things including body control and, for lack of a better term, darting speed, but he sometimes does take a little longer to gather himself. His jumping ability is not bad, it's decent, at times his leg movements are not kinetic, especially farther from the cup. His last step has some decent explosion.

He can dart close to the basket, but off the dribble he can be slow. It doesn't seem to really bother his game a lot. Being very explosive can be overrated.

But you're seizing on the gathering himself issue. Wonder if he can work on that.

[Ghetto Gospel]

Name a better two way player from the 2019 draft, matter of fact he's quickly approaching best defensive player from that draft overall. Only Thybulle and maybe Martin are on his level defensively on the wing, and they're soon to be 24 and already 25.

RJ has really stepped up this past stretch of games. He's playing "slower", within himself and under more control. Earlier in the season, it looked like he was making the pass/shoot decision as the ball hit his hands, but now he's seeing things better and as cliche as it sounds "taking what the game is giving him". Though, late in close games, he's still forcing it, to pretty mediocre results. He just doesn't really have that 1 go-to or unstoppable move in the half-court that to get a good look yet. I also like how well he's really pushing the ball in transition/semi-transition where he's hard to stop turning good defense into good offense. It's probably his best trait at the moment.

The answer though is De'Andre Hunter. I've caught quite a bit of Hawks games this season having him on my fantasy team. I'm not sure how much of his offensive improvement is "real" or just a really nice long stretch of games, but he's really been cooking and playing great even in the 1 game without Trae where he had to create his own offense. His defensive versatility and impact has really been insane so far this year too.

Side note: come on... I know RJ has been playing better defensively lately, but he isn't on thybulle's level

[blueNorange]

excluding todays game rj is ranked 10th out of 98 in drpm with +0.88

[Fat Kat]

For a guy who is an average athlete, he needs to be a knockdown shooter. He's reminding me more and more of Evan Turner. Hope I'm wrong.

[HighRyzer83]

I think the one big thing that can always make me side eye RJB even when he's going well is the way he frequently can't finish off one foot. It makes him look slow and vulnerable to blocks and recovering defensive players on plays that should have high probability of conversion (layups and dunks).

He did it in the first half against the Clippers today on that semi-break play. Open court, defender trailing, and he comes to a two-foot stop. Still made the basket, but the defender actually was right in the play because of it.

Regardless, I'm really excited at how much more efficient he's looked recently. Having more composure and control is a beautiful addition to his game.

I disagree it has anything to do with launching, more like getting the defender to draw a and1.
He does this frequently when he gets past defenders in half court too, and other times he doesn't stop at all or even accelerates when the defender is right at his side. Harden does it all the time. Changing of speed to bait the defender should never be conflated with slowing down.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Name a better two way player from the 2019 draft, matter of fact he's quickly approaching best defensive player from that draft overall. Only Thybulle and maybe Martin are on his level defensively on the wing, and they're soon to be 24 and already 25.

RJ has really stepped up this past stretch of games. He's playing "slower", within himself and under more control. Earlier in the season, it looked like he was making the pass/shoot decision as the ball hit his hands, but now he's seeing things better and as cliche as it sounds "taking what the game is giving him". Though, late in close games, he's still forcing it, to pretty mediocre results. He just doesn't really have that 1 go-to or unstoppable move in the half-court that to get a good look yet. I also like how well he's really pushing the ball in transition/semi-transition where he's hard to stop turning good defense into good offense. It's probably his best trait at the moment.

The answer though is De'Andre Hunter. I've caught quite a bit of Hawks games this season having him on my fantasy team. I'm not sure how much of his offensive improvement is "real" or just a really nice long stretch of games, but he's really been cooking and playing great even in the 1 game without Trae where he had to create his own offense. His defensive versatility and impact has really been insane so far this year too.

Side note: come on... I know RJ has been playing better defensively lately, but he isn't on thybulle's level

Thybulle is limited in who he can guard, he's great at the 1-2 and some 3s, but the bigger wings give him trouble. The Celtics wings take turns scorching him because he's just too small to really bother either of them. He's more of a team defender than he is a man to man guy, where as RJ has more versatility in who he can guard on a man to man basis.

[cgf]

Name a better two way player from the 2019 draft, matter of fact he's quickly approaching best defensive player from that draft overall. Only Thybulle and maybe Martin are on his level defensively on the wing, and they're soon to be 24 and already 25.

RJ has really stepped up this past stretch of games. He's playing "slower", within himself and under more control. Earlier in the season, it looked like he was making the pass/shoot decision as the ball hit his hands, but now he's seeing things better and as cliche as it sounds "taking what the game is giving him". Though, late in close games, he's still forcing it, to pretty mediocre results. He just doesn't really have that 1 go-to or unstoppable move in the half-court that to get a good look yet. I also like how well he's really pushing the ball in transition/semi-transition where he's hard to stop turning good defense into good offense. It's probably his best trait at the moment.

The answer though is De'Andre Hunter. I've caught quite a bit of Hawks games this season having him on my fantasy team. I'm not sure how much of his offensive improvement is "real" or just a really nice long stretch of games, but he's really been cooking and playing great even in the 1 game without Trae where he had to create his own offense. His defensive versatility and impact has really been insane so far this year too.

Side note: come on... I know RJ has been playing better defensively lately, but he isn't on thybulle's level

Thybulle is limited in who he can guard, he's great at the 1-2 and some 3s, but the bigger wings give him trouble. The Celtics wings take turns scorching him because he's just too small to really bother either of them. He's more of a team defender than he is a man to man guy, where as RJ has more versatility in who he can guard on a man to man basis.

RJ has struggled with giant wings too.

[Garbagelo]

RJ is rarely affected by his primary defender, usually has trouble finishing over rim protectors.

This tells me he needs to develop a post game or mid range game.

[WargamesX]

RJ has really stepped up this past stretch of games. He's playing "slower", within himself and under more control. Earlier in the season, it looked like he was making the pass/shoot decision as the ball hit his hands, but now he's seeing things better and as cliche as it sounds "taking what the game is giving him". Though, late in close games, he's still forcing it, to pretty mediocre results. He just doesn't really have that 1 go-to or unstoppable move in the half-court that to get a good look yet. I also like how well he's really pushing the ball in transition/semi-transition where he's hard to stop turning good defense into good offense. It's probably his best trait at the moment.

The answer though is De'Andre Hunter. I've caught quite a bit of Hawks games this season having him on my fantasy team. I'm not sure how much of his offensive improvement is "real" or just a really nice long stretch of games, but he's really been cooking and playing great even in the 1 game without Trae where he had to create his own offense. His defensive versatility and impact has really been insane so far this year too.

Side note: come on... I know RJ has been playing better defensively lately, but he isn't on thybulle's level

Thybulle is limited in who he can guard, he's great at the 1-2 and some 3s, but the bigger wings give him trouble. The Celtics wings take turns scorching him because he's just too small to really bother either of them. He's more of a team defender than he is a man to man guy, where as RJ has more versatility in who he can guard on a man to man basis.

RJ has struggled with giant wings too.

Which is my main concern with him at SF though that position fits his skill set better. Bigger wings give him problems. I know the Knicks tend to use wings and don’t really stress SG or SF but the way he just bodies most SG’s I wish we could just have him hunt those match ups.

[Clyde_Style]

RJ is rarely affected by his primary defender, usually has trouble finishing over rim protectors.

This tells me he needs to develop a post game or mid range game.

He's already juking step backs from 8-10 feet out

[Ghetto Gospel]

Name a better two way player from the 2019 draft, matter of fact he's quickly approaching best defensive player from that draft overall. Only Thybulle and maybe Martin are on his level defensively on the wing, and they're soon to be 24 and already 25.

RJ has really stepped up this past stretch of games. He's playing "slower", within himself and under more control. Earlier in the season, it looked like he was making the pass/shoot decision as the ball hit his hands, but now he's seeing things better and as cliche as it sounds "taking what the game is giving him". Though, late in close games, he's still forcing it, to pretty mediocre results. He just doesn't really have that 1 go-to or unstoppable move in the half-court that to get a good look yet. I also like how well he's really pushing the ball in transition/semi-transition where he's hard to stop turning good defense into good offense. It's probably his best trait at the moment.

The answer though is De'Andre Hunter. I've caught quite a bit of Hawks games this season having him on my fantasy team. I'm not sure how much of his offensive improvement is "real" or just a really nice long stretch of games, but he's really been cooking and playing great even in the 1 game without Trae where he had to create his own offense. His defensive versatility and impact has really been insane so far this year too.

Side note: come on... I know RJ has been playing better defensively lately, but he isn't on thybulle's level

Thybulle is limited in who he can guard, he's great at the 1-2 and some 3s, but the bigger wings give him trouble. The Celtics wings take turns scorching him because he's just too small to really bother either of them. He's more of a team defender than he is a man to man guy, where as RJ has more versatility in who he can guard on a man to man basis.

A quick google search led me to Thybulle at 6'5, with a 6'11 wingspan, 201 lbs through all unconfirmed numbers as he didn't attend the combine. RJ Barrett's combine numbers were 6'6.5 with a 6'9 wingspan @ 208 lbs, though he is currently listed @ 214 lbs which is probably accurate as he looks a bit bigger now. That inch and a half isn't really that much of a make or break considering it's made up by wingspan.

With regards to versatility, RJ guards 2-3, and can't guard the 1. Thybulle guards 1-2 some smaller 3's and is much better playing in a zone with better defensive instinct. That said, I recall Thybulle struggling to defend Tatum last year in the playoffs, and the size difference is too much there, but I recall RJ struggling to defend Tatum last year too so let's not pretend like RJ doesn't struggle with bigger wings too. For example, this afternoon I thought he worked hard on defense on Kawhi but he couldn't really guard him especially in the second half when Kawhi decided to take over. We had to send doubles in the post giving up open 3's to their shooters which were all hits and the few times we didn't Kawhi got to the rim with layups, dunks, free throws or shot right over the top.