Knicks - Pelicans PG: RJ CAME TO PLAY

[duetta]

Sbarro's, too? Now that's just disgusting.

He'd empty every Halal truck in Midtown.

New York is a scary place for people with eating problems

I would think it would be easier in NY to eat healthier than New Orleans. I used to watch Emril on the TV Food Network and Louisiana cuisine is not remotely health-oriented.

Still, I'm not sure Zion why is not doing a better job of conditioning his body for the NBA. He has to do that to become the megastar he could be and to protect his athleticism going forward. But it could just be that he doesn't want to be where he is. That is certainly something that his next team will need to do their due diligence on.

[Reign23]

Obi needs more mins. His play on both ends - in limited mins - has justified it. He deserves it. And it will help the team.

but but but thibs will play more small ball I was told.

[YouthMovement]

perfect decision making off the pnr, stepback jumpers, finishing with the right hand, clutch gene. he really showed it all

[FrozenEnvelope]

5-1! Never ever did I think I would see a Knicks team be 5-1.

RJ freaking Barrett! I have never seen a Knicks player get drafted and get better and better each season. I'm not trading RJ EVER unless it's for a 25-28 yearold All-Star PG. Just look at how much better RJ has gotten since his rookie season. Just imagine him in 3 years! He might not ever be as good as Ja or Zion but he's going to be that type of player we cannot lose. Super giddy and excited about RJ!

I knew it was too early to give up on Kemba. He's balling! His ability to shoot and score along with Fournier (he needs a nickname!) is something we haven't had in the backcourt since...ever? We would have lost last night if it were last season. We needed Randle to play like Larry Bird every single game. But this season, we just have weapons. We can afford to have Randle have an off game shooting and scoring.

5-1!!!!

[robillionaire]

I think this was just a taste of what RJ can do

What I mean is, you see the potential, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's still inconsistent the rest of the year with it, especially with those off the dribble 3s

It might not even be next year he gets consistent at it, maybe the year after. Which is why I've been loathe to put him in trade scenarios

Plus, for all the "lol RJ still can't finish" posts, he's at 77% at the rim this year, and 67% on layups. It's a small sample size, but that's significantly better than last year, it's just his finishing from 3-10 feet that's the issue (he's at 35.7% there), but he's steadily improving from that range since his rookie year (26.7%, then 31.8% last year)

So it might still take him another year or two to get where he needs to be, but it's looking like he can get there. Also just another reminder that the only guy on the team younger than RJ is Deuce by less than 3 months.

One big positive is that he’s developed that little driving one handed shot, idk whether to call it a floater or a runner or hook shot or something but it’s a mid range shot that actually seems to be working for him. With that in his arsenal he actually is a threat to create his own shot and it gives him more options and opens up the whole game. So hope to see that continue

[Guano]

Sbarro's, too? Now that's just disgusting.

He'd empty every Halal truck in Midtown.

New York is a scary place for people with eating problems

There isn't a place in the states that a person with eating problems is safe.

[Clyde_Style]

3 parts fat and add in some more fat. Then render the fat in fat and add more fat!

Zion could be a generational talent... but... he's fatter than Melo! He has about 12 more months in the league. He's Greg Oden and Roy combined? Can't remember Roy first name bit I know it's not Patrick.

RJ is gonna be a beast. I compared him to the importance of Pippen. After calling him a bust after 2 SL games! He's an all around baller.

Zion is a big fat pig with a 5 year lifespan in the NBA

I'm getting strong Eddie Curry vibes from Zion. Has great ability with apparently no desire to actually use it.

I really feel sorry for him. I don't necessarily think it's diet or discipline thing.
Some people are just genetically predisposed to packing on weight.

Even the round mound of rebound never looked like that

He has an eating problem

[BKlutch]

Theory: no plays run for Julius so they can run plays for others. Later, they’ll start running plays for Ju, too. Others need to learn and some need to get worked into the team.

[Oscirus]

I'm getting strong Eddie Curry vibes from Zion. Has great ability with apparently no desire to actually use it.

I really feel sorry for him. I don't necessarily think it's diet or discipline thing.
Some people are just genetically predisposed to packing on weight.

Even the round mound of rebound never looked like that

He has an eating problem

His family better learn that they're **** up their lottery ticket by not being more disciplined

[thebuzzardman]

5-1! Never ever did I think I would see a Knicks team be 5-1.

RJ freaking Barrett! I have never seen a Knicks player get drafted and get better and better each season. I'm not trading RJ EVER unless it's for a 25-28 yearold All-Star PG. Just look at how much better RJ has gotten since his rookie season. Just imagine him in 3 years! He might not ever be as good as Ja or Zion but he's going to be that type of player we cannot lose. Super giddy and excited about RJ!

I knew it was too early to give up on Kemba. He's balling! His ability to shoot and score along with Fournier (he needs a nickname!) is something we haven't had in the backcourt since...ever? We would have lost last night if it were last season. We needed Randle to play like Larry Bird every single game. But this season, we just have weapons. We can afford to have Randle have an off game shooting and scoring.

5-1!!!!

I'd assume a FrozenEnvelope guy is familiar with Ewing. And Ewing added something to his game each year for at least the first 5 years. The Bill Cartwright runner in the lane I don't think happened until year 3 and was huge. He kept adding range. His passing got better, though never great. I think he had the baseline turnaround jumper from right away. But Ewing got better each year.

But yeah, it's been a while. To me, RJ is on that same noticeable trajectory, where the improvements are obvious.

[thebuzzardman]

I'm getting strong Eddie Curry vibes from Zion. Has great ability with apparently no desire to actually use it.

I really feel sorry for him. I don't necessarily think it's diet or discipline thing.
Some people are just genetically predisposed to packing on weight.

Even the round mound of rebound never looked like that

He has an eating problem

Barkley looked pretty damn heavy as a rookie or sophomore. He talks about it. One of the vets really got on his case and he dropped 40 pounds. He admitted to playing at 275/280, then getting down to 240 for most of his career. Pretty sure late career Barkley got big again.

Zion is just a more massive guy though.

[GONYK]

I really feel sorry for him. I don't necessarily think it's diet or discipline thing.
Some people are just genetically predisposed to packing on weight.

Even the round mound of rebound never looked like that

He has an eating problem

Barkley looked pretty damn heavy as a rookie or sophomore. He talks about it. One of the vets really got on his case and he dropped 40 pounds. He admitted to playing at 275/280, then getting down to 240 for most of his career. Pretty sure late career Barkley got big again.

Zion is just a more massive guy though.

It's not just the weight with Zion. It's all the hidden injuries too.

Something is off with every part of his training and nutrition regimen.

[K_ick_God]

Bedtime thought:

Obi is becoming something entirely different and maybe is going to be a special player

His defense is maturing very rapidly. He’s making reads and is already a shot block threat. He had one stretch tonight where he was everywhere for a few minutes and very disruptive

And the guy is a legit passer. The more he plays the more he flashes the ability to make plays

This guy needs more minutes. Give him some of Randle’s minutes. Obi is going to be a piece for us

Totally agree!!

There was a sequence where Obi stole it and dribbled up looking somewhat awkward... I just knew he was going to fumble but he found RJ in the corner for 3. I couldn't help but think about how sad is it that some posters/haters aren't enjoying this. But I would love to see RJ play with Obi more.

That play was key and showed high awareness by Obi. He also had a PNR play (1 point). Two momentum plays.

[thebuzzardman]

Let's assume in part the game RJ had was because he effectively played half the Pelicants bench.

Since RJ isn't an explosive leaper per se and doesn't have the really quick first step, him being able to do what he did is dependent on recognizing who is playing against him and how, picking spots. K-Dot said it might take RJ two more years to develop the consistency etc. It might. His path to getting better is more dependent on the mind and using craft, as opposed to getting better in skill, though of course he has improved skill wise and will continue to do so.

If this makes sense. It did when I was thinking it.

[thebuzzardman]

Also, Kemba adds that true talented PG element to the Knicks. RJ had the huge game, but Kemba hit a semi layup and a 3 that were pretty important at the moments they happened. Kemba providing that good PG ability to get a bucket when the team needs to settle down.

[thebuzzardman]

Theory: no plays run for Julius so they can run plays for others. Later, they’ll start running plays for Ju, too. Others need to learn and some need to get worked into the team.

People were hating on RJ before I got to see the entire game, and I get it; 2nd half and particularly the 4th he forced several shots and absolutely took off a couple of plays on defense, even down the stretch.

But overall, he didn't take that many shots and for most of the game, was fairly under control etc.
Seems like Randle was letting the guards play.
I'd assume this was by design.
Still, he tried to Wandle a few times in the 4th that was annoying as hell.

[stuporman]

No offense to Mitch or Noel, but imagine the Knicks had Valančiūnas

Wasn't he selected with the Knicks pick traded for garbagenani?

[K_ick_God]

Also, Kemba adds that true talented PG element to the Knicks. RJ had the huge game, but Kemba hit a semi layup and a 3 that were pretty important at the moments they happened. Kemba providing that good PG ability to get a bucket when the team needs to settle down.

Kemba's layup was big. I think games turn on those plays.

[K_ick_God]

Suns 2-3 after buying Elf off the shelf.

[Oscirus]

Theory: no plays run for Julius so they can run plays for others. Later, they’ll start running plays for Ju, too. Others need to learn and some need to get worked into the team.

People were hating on RJ before I got to see the entire game, and I get it; 2nd half and particularly the 4th he forced several shots and absolutely took off a couple of plays on defense, even down the stretch.

But overall, he didn't take that many shots and for most of the game, was fairly under control etc.
Seems like Randle was letting the guards play.
I'd assume this was by design.
Still, he tried to Wandle a few times in the 4th that was annoying as hell.

Took me a minute to realize you got a typo sir