Knicks · Barrett is quietly emerging (page 1)

I say quietly because it’s not obvious to the outside world but 43% from the field, up to 34% from 3pt and 73% from the free throw line. That’s major improvement across the board. Add that he’s gone from poor defender to above average and he looks like a player thats going to be really good someday. When the shot is falling he looks like a future star. His next step is playmaking. He needs to become a real creator. But it’s hard to be disappointed in the big improvements overall.

I never had unrealistic expectations for him.

Bar super high - number 1 option on a championship team

Bar high - all star

Bar above average - third “important” option when we get 2 all stars on the team

Bar mediocre - competent wing in the nba

Bar low/bust - inconsistent entire career. Doesn’t evolve. Only averages 10-13 points

3 point shooting has been good but he’s been missing his free throws.

Barrett is my favorite player in this team. I love his style. But he NEEDS to finish better at the rim, and learn to close out games. He has missed several key shots this season. Also needs to get more consistent.

I liked that he was attacking the rim a bit more. He’s like a big bear with claws. And the hoop, it’s a little bunny cowering at the end of the court. And he got these claws and he’s staring at these claws and thinking, "How am I supposed to kill this bunny, how am I supposed to kill this bunny?". So he’s poking at it. Poking it. But he’s got these big fangs and big claws. Maybe batting it around a little. And it’s shivering. It’s a little scared. And he’s thinking “I don’t know how to kill this bunny” and “how do I kill this”. But he’s a big bear.

Barrett needs to unlock his bear and kill the bunny. Take a little bit of IQ swagger and just pure rage on that court. Kid will kill it.

joec32033 wrote:Barrett is my favorite player in this team. I love his style. But he NEEDS to finish better at the rim, and learn to close out games. He has missed several key shots this season. Also needs to get more consistent.

In the span of 4 minutes he won us, then almost lost us the game with his missed free throws.

Cant lie, those missed free throws were frustating to watch. Barrett still had a great game, and played an important part in the W. RJ looks like a player who puts a great deal of pressure on himself to succeed. The free throw line is where all that pressure seems to come together. Cant power his way through a free throw. Has to stay calm, and make them.

Practicing shooting free throws with one hand used to help me. Makes it easier to build muscle memory.

joec32033 wrote:Barrett is my favorite player in this team. I love his style. But he NEEDS to finish better at the rim, and learn to close out games. He has missed several key shots this season. Also needs to get more consistent.

It's the consistency and decision-making that still make me scratch my head and go more pessimistic than most.

There are so many fast breaks where he puts his head down, clearly with the blinders on, and goes right at defender instead of making the simple pass to teammate for a very make-able bucket. I am going to try to dunk on Myles Turner, one of the best shot blockers in the league, instead of making this easy pass.

Or, literally WFT was that pass, multiple times a game. I get the young guy, almost rookie player, still 20 years old. But WTF with the passing/decision making.

And he can get hot from 3, and then also get another pass while wide open and not hit the rim. I don't even know what that is.

IMHO Barrett will never have a shooters touch. He will grind the hell out of his shooting form and make it mechanically better, but never a natural, instinctive, sweet shot.

Clutch? Hit some free throws at end of game when it counts. At least one of them.

You can tell he’s been working hard on his 3 ...here’s the scary part of his emergence he’s 20 years old!! You can tell he wants to be one of the greats

He's 20 years old. In this microwave society nobody wants to take the time to cook anything in the oven anymore. He's a hard worker with a great pedigree. He's extremely young and has improved from year #1 to year #2. This is his first season with a competent NBA coach. A player can't eliminate all of his flaws in one off season. We need to be patient with both RJ and Obi.

I have no idea what his ceiling is and I do wonder about his fairly average athletic ability. But I'm confident both RJ and Obi will come close to maximizing their potential. What that ultimate looks like remains to be seen.

Welpee wrote:He's 20 years old. In this microwave society nobody wants to take the time to cook anything in the oven anymore. He's a hard worker with a great pedigree. He's extremely young and has improved from year #1 to year #2. This is his first season with a competent NBA coach. A player can't eliminate all of his flaws in one off season. We need to be patient with both RJ and Obi.

I have no idea what his ceiling is and I do wonder about his fairly average athletic ability. But I'm confident both RJ and Obi will come close to maximizing their potential. What that ultimate looks like remains to be seen.

I’m high on Barrett because I think he has the It factor to offset lack of explosiveness. Toppin is a different situation. He seems to just be facing tough competition for the first time in his life. Jury is still out with how he will adjust. Being almost 23 hurts but he will obviously get better. He needs to develop some go-to moves in the post. Just seems uncomfortable on the floor.

martin wrote:

joec32033 wrote:Barrett is my favorite player in this team. I love his style. But he NEEDS to finish better at the rim, and learn to close out games. He has missed several key shots this season. Also needs to get more consistent.

It's the consistency and decision-making that still make me scratch my head and go more pessimistic than most.

There are so many fast breaks where he puts his head down, clearly with the blinders on, and goes right at defender instead of making the simple pass to teammate for a very make-able bucket. I am going to try to dunk on Myles Turner, one of the best shot blockers in the league, instead of making this easy pass.

Or, literally WFT was that pass, multiple times a game. I get the young guy, almost rookie player, still 20 years old. But WTF with the passing/decision making.

And he can get hot from 3, and then also get another pass while wide open and not hit the rim. I don't even know what that is.

IMHO Barrett will never have a shooters touch. He will grind the hell out of his shooting form and make it mechanically better, but never a natural, instinctive, sweet shot.

Clutch? Hit some free throws at end of game when it counts. At least one of them.

Going back to his rookie year. Barrett has played poorly to start a game, followed by a strong second half which gives us the win. Maybe not highlight reel stuff, but clutch nonetheless.

One year of college and 3 coaches in a little more than a season. If Barrett had stayed at Duke for 4 years, we would see a more polished player. Taking a prospect after just one year means being patient while that player figures things out. I believe RJ will. On his way.

Challenge the best shot blocker at the rim or pass off to a teammate for an easier basket must be a year 3 developmental decision-making thing?

GustavBahler wrote:Cant lie, those missed free throws were frustating to watch. Barrett still had a great game, and played an important part in the W. RJ looks like a player who puts a great deal of pressure on himself to succeed. The free throw line is where all that pressure seems to come together. Cant power his way through a free throw. Has to stay calm, and make them.

Practicing shooting free throws with one hand used to help me. Makes it easier to build muscle memory.

It was tough to watch because he basically took over the game in those last 4 minutes. He looked like a superstar. Those missed Free Throws were killer. If we were playing a better team we probably lose that game.

I think last night's fast breaks were a product of just being in the 30th spot in Pace and trying to run a little bit more. They were sloppy fast breaks all around.

Young NBA players are inconsistent on offense. Quickley and Barrett are both maddeningly inconsistent on offense when you watch every game. It's the nature of young players.

With RJ, the growth is showing. There's an uptick in all the offensive stats and he's consistently VERY good on defense. From three, he is never going to be a 40% sniper but we know that. The hope is that he can get to that 36 or 37% league average on the kitchen shoot opportunities that he's going to get and that opens the ability for him to penetrate with the pump fake. The next thing for him to add next season is more ability to finish at the rim and increase that field goal percentage from 0 to 3 ft.

martin wrote:

joec32033 wrote:Barrett is my favorite player in this team. I love his style. But he NEEDS to finish better at the rim, and learn to close out games. He has missed several key shots this season. Also needs to get more consistent.

It's the consistency and decision-making that still make me scratch my head and go more pessimistic than most.

There are so many fast breaks where he puts his head down, clearly with the blinders on, and goes right at defender instead of making the simple pass to teammate for a very make-able bucket. I am going to try to dunk on Myles Turner, one of the best shot blockers in the league, instead of making this easy pass.

Or, literally WFT was that pass, multiple times a game. I get the young guy, almost rookie player, still 20 years old. But WTF with the passing/decision making.

And he can get hot from 3, and then also get another pass while wide open and not hit the rim. I don't even know what that is.

IMHO Barrett will never have a shooters touch. He will grind the hell out of his shooting form and make it mechanically better, but never a natural, instinctive, sweet shot.

Clutch? Hit some free throws at end of game when it counts. At least one of them.

Almost every player in the league makes wtf plays. You seem to be holding RJ to a higher standard while perhaps ignoring the flaws in other players.

foosballnick wrote:

martin wrote:

joec32033 wrote:Barrett is my favorite player in this team. I love his style. But he NEEDS to finish better at the rim, and learn to close out games. He has missed several key shots this season. Also needs to get more consistent.

It's the consistency and decision-making that still make me scratch my head and go more pessimistic than most.

There are so many fast breaks where he puts his head down, clearly with the blinders on, and goes right at defender instead of making the simple pass to teammate for a very make-able bucket. I am going to try to dunk on Myles Turner, one of the best shot blockers in the league, instead of making this easy pass.

Or, literally WFT was that pass, multiple times a game. I get the young guy, almost rookie player, still 20 years old. But WTF with the passing/decision making.

And he can get hot from 3, and then also get another pass while wide open and not hit the rim. I don't even know what that is.

IMHO Barrett will never have a shooters touch. He will grind the hell out of his shooting form and make it mechanically better, but never a natural, instinctive, sweet shot.

Clutch? Hit some free throws at end of game when it counts. At least one of them.

Almost every player in the league makes wtf plays. You seem to be holding RJ to a higher standard while perhaps ignoring the flaws in other players.

Good sports talk shows usually has two opposing views. Not sure its always genuine but it keeps the convo going. RJ is Martins “guy”. Got to have a villain” and since everyone loves RJ, our leader Martin gotta keep them eyeballs a viewing!
Just kidding, we all drinking the “Rowans kid is built for this/Uncle Steve got my back” RJ koolAid and we just want that “Kobe Maple Mamba” thing to be real! As said before RJ is sneaky getting better and we knick fans are so emotionally scared we just waiting for RJ to:
1. Get thrown out of a strip club without wearing a mask.
2. Get caught with a hooker at Epcot.
3. Tell us the world is not flat, but Triangular.
4. Say something positive about Canada but MAGA misinterprets as anti USA.

Or as we come to learn 1248 is a “FranoPhile”, Martin is afraid of Canadian politeness.

Knixkik wrote:

Welpee wrote:He's 20 years old. In this microwave society nobody wants to take the time to cook anything in the oven anymore. He's a hard worker with a great pedigree. He's extremely young and has improved from year #1 to year #2. This is his first season with a competent NBA coach. A player can't eliminate all of his flaws in one off season. We need to be patient with both RJ and Obi.

I have no idea what his ceiling is and I do wonder about his fairly average athletic ability. But I'm confident both RJ and Obi will come close to maximizing their potential. What that ultimate looks like remains to be seen.

I’m high on Barrett because I think he has the It factor to offset lack of explosiveness. Toppin is a different situation. He seems to just be facing tough competition for the first time in his life. Jury is still out with how he will adjust. Being almost 23 hurts but he will obviously get better. He needs to develop some go-to moves in the post. Just seems uncomfortable on the floor.

I think there's some truth to what you're saying about Obi, though I think it's inaccurate to say he's facing tough competition for the "first time in his life." He posted solid games against ACC, SEC and Big 12 competition as a senior. And the A-10 is a solid conference so I completely disagree with that assessment. What I will say is he's now facing a step up in talent operating in the paint versus when he was in college. That is the adjustment he needs to make in my opinion, he needs develop his perimeter skills and probably do what Randle did and play at a lighter weight.

I think next year will give us a better idea of Obi's future. Randle is a great model to use for his off-season plan.

Funny when we talk about Barrett’s youth and a talk about suboptimal choices on fast breaks. Just consider - the vets might not have gotten the loose ball or were simply not in a position to lead the break - or were not in position to lead the break. And besides - if it were Bullock/Burks/Ntilikina or any other wing, do you really have high confidence they’d make the aggressive play OR would you expect them to show too much respect to Turner and pull the ball back and set up in the half court?

Fact is Barrett is one of the best players on the team. Would the future 24 year old version of Barrett make a different decision? Maybe - after reviewing the tape and more opportunities, maybe. Or maybe he’d still try to take it to the hole and make sure he made the basket or drew a foul.

In any case, at least he put pressure on the defense and forced the D to make a good play to stop him.

foosballnick wrote:

martin wrote:

joec32033 wrote:Barrett is my favorite player in this team. I love his style. But he NEEDS to finish better at the rim, and learn to close out games. He has missed several key shots this season. Also needs to get more consistent.

It's the consistency and decision-making that still make me scratch my head and go more pessimistic than most.

There are so many fast breaks where he puts his head down, clearly with the blinders on, and goes right at defender instead of making the simple pass to teammate for a very make-able bucket. I am going to try to dunk on Myles Turner, one of the best shot blockers in the league, instead of making this easy pass.

Or, literally WFT was that pass, multiple times a game. I get the young guy, almost rookie player, still 20 years old. But WTF with the passing/decision making.

And he can get hot from 3, and then also get another pass while wide open and not hit the rim. I don't even know what that is.

IMHO Barrett will never have a shooters touch. He will grind the hell out of his shooting form and make it mechanically better, but never a natural, instinctive, sweet shot.

Clutch? Hit some free throws at end of game when it counts. At least one of them.

Almost every player in the league makes wtf plays. You seem to be holding RJ to a higher standard while perhaps ignoring the flaws in other players.

?

When the discussion is about Barrett, what does statement "ignoring the flaws of other players" have to do with anything? I am literally talking about RJ and you want me to... discuss other players flaws?

Let's be realistic: RJ, given his age, has probably been in the top 1% of having been coached and exposed to higher levels of play at his age bracket for all kids at 20 years old who are slated for the NBA. His father was a pro player, he has been on the pre-NBA and international circuit for his whole life, and he has had a pro shooting coach for at least 2 off seasons (Hanson, regarded as one of the best). All things that 95+% of kids capable of getting to this level don't have.

The decision making he is executing shouldn't even come into question IMHO, they should be more natural and instinctive at this point of his pro lifecycle.

I've just never seen a player, when so wide open, miss the rim as much as he does. I don't even know how to fathom that

RJ is getting better and doing things he was not good at last year but he should be miles ahead of where he is IMO

martin wrote:

foosballnick wrote:

martin wrote:

joec32033 wrote:Barrett is my favorite player in this team. I love his style. But he NEEDS to finish better at the rim, and learn to close out games. He has missed several key shots this season. Also needs to get more consistent.

It's the consistency and decision-making that still make me scratch my head and go more pessimistic than most.

There are so many fast breaks where he puts his head down, clearly with the blinders on, and goes right at defender instead of making the simple pass to teammate for a very make-able bucket. I am going to try to dunk on Myles Turner, one of the best shot blockers in the league, instead of making this easy pass.

Or, literally WFT was that pass, multiple times a game. I get the young guy, almost rookie player, still 20 years old. But WTF with the passing/decision making.

And he can get hot from 3, and then also get another pass while wide open and not hit the rim. I don't even know what that is.

IMHO Barrett will never have a shooters touch. He will grind the hell out of his shooting form and make it mechanically better, but never a natural, instinctive, sweet shot.

Clutch? Hit some free throws at end of game when it counts. At least one of them.

Almost every player in the league makes wtf plays. You seem to be holding RJ to a higher standard while perhaps ignoring the flaws in other players.

?

When the discussion is about Barrett, what does statement "ignoring the flaws of other players" have to do with anything? I am literally talking about RJ and you want me to... discuss other players flaws?

Let's be realistic: RJ, given his age, has probably been in the top 1% of having been coached and exposed to higher levels of play at his age bracket for all kids at 20 years old who are slated for the NBA. His father was a pro player, he has been on the pre-NBA and international circuit for his whole life, and he has had a pro shooting coach for at least 2 off seasons (Hanson, regarded as one of the best). All things that 95+% of kids capable of getting to this level don't have.

The decision making he is executing shouldn't even come into question IMHO, they should be more natural and instinctive at this point of his pro lifecycle.

I've just never seen a player, when so wide open, miss the rim as much as he does. I don't even know how to fathom that

RJ is getting better and doing things he was not good at last year but he should be miles ahead of where he is IMO

He’s shooting 46% from 3pt over the last 20 games or so.