TheGame wrote:GT2AM wrote:RJ Barret interview after being leading scorer in the Rising Star game:https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1228...
I really like what he said about bragging rights at the end. This kid has a Winning attitude. That with his drive to excel personally and be the best player. Reminds me of someone...
That is his best quality. This kid is a grinder and a fighter. He is going to put in the work to get better and he wants to win. I don’t know what his ceiling will be but I am confident that in 2-3 years this kid is going to be one of top SGs in the league and a main cog for our team. With him and Mitch, we have a foundation.
This All Star Rising Stars game, with its accompanying open interviews, (something we don't see with the knicks media restrictions) has really opened my eyes to who Barrett is as a person, his attitudes, drives, personality. You can see his body language in the interview after the game in the clip above. At 1:00 when he says the other team won his shoulders sag. It bothers him. He was playing to win, maybe the only guy on the court with that attitude in this game.
Here is the game in 10 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJgXcGYB...
He starts the game off playing defense, even got a compliment from the announcer. Until , I guess, he realizes its not that type of game. Check out how he blows past the field at 3:15 and a nice spin move at 4:55. But check out what happens at 9:01 with the score 139 USA -116 World with 4:19 left in the 4th. He goes to defend an inbounds after a made shot. He's like "we've been here with the knicks before. We can make a comeback." Still fighting in a game that ended with a dunk show.
Check out his postgame inteview with Trae Young. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCUKYhuV... You get to see what was going thru his mind, what he thinks about during games. Trae talks until 3:35. Then a tough question hits and he folds and passes to Barrett who handles it smoothly. Listen until the end ,its funny. But it seems like he was the only guy playing with the drive to win this game. No wonder he ended up with a game high 27. (next best was 20, then all teens.)
Here is one more interview before the game. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZf_V5qZ...
He talks of expecting greatness from himself and learning from veterans. Just another window to see who the knicks newest rookie is.
Who does he remind you of? I thought he has Kobe genes (Maple Mamba) but after seeing how Barrett conducted himself this All Star break he reminds me of someone much closer to home. Yankees Derek Jeter when he was a rookie. The way both seemed to want the New York spotlight. Both came in with similar hype and how they handle/d it. How even though they are rookies they feel like they belong in the Big Show. Secure in that, c-cky even, like they were born for this. Both have supportive parents that were instrumental in raising them to reach their goals. Both seem to respect the game, the history, and want to learn from previous greats. Both seemed polished in front of the media. Apparently RJ seems to be a fierce competitor too. Both seem to want to be their best, The Best, personally, but its all about the team, winning.
That is his best quality. This kid is a grinder and a fighter.
What you say is very true. Derek Jeter had this quality and it was this very quality that leads to plays like the "Flip Play"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApoJk9X7... Just going
All Out for the W. That is what champions are made of. If RJ Barrett has this and backs it up with hard work then I think we got a very special talent that could lead the team for years. Don't forget. Kobe came into the league on Shaqs team. They stared winning right away so Kobe's talents and drive were evident right away. But RJ Barrett reminds me of good people. Who else does he remind you of?
