Knicks · RJ... Glimpse of the next level? (page 1)

It’s been a frustrating streak of games, so finally getting a win maybe has something to do with it. But RJ! Oh my, RJ!

He looked every bit of the franchise player we’ve been waiting for. Clutch play after clutch play! He carried us with poise and took gutsy shots.

And while he was impressive, this goes beyond this specific game. He has improved a lot in his main weaknesses of free throw and 3pt shooting while improving on even his strengths. But his leadership and poise really shine.

If this is just the beginning of the next level he can reach, we might finally have the franchise player we’ve been waiting for. Give him and Randle a PG and let’s keep improving.

He’s just awesome. Hopefully he starts getting more national respect. What he’s doing at 20 is special.

Respectfully disagree that RJ hasnt had clutch moments before this. He's had some rough starts, only to finish strong in the 4th quarter, going back to his rookie season. Maybe not as dramatic as this win vs. Memphis, but its not like he hasnt been clutch before.

I do agree he's taking his game to another level.

I think RJ was haunted by this moment leading into his rookie season, when he missed a free throw in the final seconds of the Elite 8 in 2019. If he hits the first free throw, maybe Duke advances to the Final Four, and the debate over the top 3 picks of the 2019 draft goes a little differently.

Anyway, today's performance late was outstanding.

GustavBahler wrote:Respectfully disagree that RJ hasnt had clutch moments before this. He's had some rough starts, only to finish strong in the 4th quarter, going back to his rookie season. Maybe not as dramatic as this win vs. Memphis, but its not like he hasnt been clutch before.

I do agree he's taking his game to another level.

No, I didn’t mean he hadn’t had clutch games before. He has.

It’s just that right now, with the huge progress he’s had in his shooting, it just strikes a little different. Like right now is way easier than ever to envision him being the face of the franchise. The improvements he has made this season are really remarkable.

Knicks “won” 2019 draft.

I have said before of his “Sneaky good” ascension traits. We dont’ get too many of those coming of age moments. We have gotten watershed games were he looks awful then not over night it improves. Maybe its 10 game cycles? I don’t know. The Kid last night had elite moments down the stretch. Did what stars do and go straight to the rim. He took a three and got fouled. He has been so good that the defense had to respect him.
It was an awful game until the last 5 minutes. RJ might have given us a taste of whats to come. ITs whats he’s done before. Then he fulfills it. HE was cool about it too.

technomaster wrote:I think RJ was haunted by this moment leading into his rookie season

I do not think RJ is ever haunted or daunted by anything. He has the stare of a cold-blooded assassin.

ESOMKnicks wrote:

technomaster wrote:I think RJ was haunted by this moment leading into his rookie season

I do not think RJ is ever haunted or daunted by anything. He has the stare of a cold-blooded assassin.

RJ reminds me a bit of Kobe from a mentality standpoint. When Kobe missed those two shots earlier in his career against Utah, when the media asked him about it he said “I had to take those shots”. He had to go thru that developmental process of tasting that defeat so that he can be prepared mentally when that big moment came again.

As you said the look in RJs eye sometimes is one of a cold blooded killer...I think he is on his way...his growth this year has been phenomenal despite the media at large still discounting him..

KnickDanger wrote:Knicks “won” 2019 draft.

They did. After Morant RJ is the best player from that draft

The knicks now have a formidable dynamic duo in RJ and Randle. They really need to fibally solve the starting pg position, they need a player that can distribute the ball well and orchestrate. Hoping Lonzo to be tgat guy.i think everyone in the team will be able to take another step once they get the right starting point guard.

I think they are in a pretty good position right now with Randle being underpaid at $19MM, the Knicks have the same chance the warriors did with Curry to build next offseason.

RJ is awesome and hit two clutch shots in two games. That takes time for 95% of the league.

Jarret Allen and Lonzo would be interesting in the offseason. I love Mitch, but durability is a big question. Those two are both good defenders. We need to hit on shooters in this draft and that a pretty strong team going forward and Allen would be tradable.

Would the Wizards be open to Toppin and IQ with 3 first for Beal?

A bench of Frank, Mitch, Knox and Gibson with that team could be very interesting.

Philc1 wrote:

KnickDanger wrote:Knicks won; 2019 draft.

They did. After Morant RJ is the best player from that draft

Are you saying RJ better than Zion?

Knicksfan wrote:It’s been a frustrating streak of games, so finally getting a win maybe has something to do with it. But RJ! Oh my, RJ!

He looked every bit of the franchise player we’ve been waiting for. Clutch play after clutch play! He carried us with poise and took gutsy shots.

And while he was impressive, this goes beyond this specific game. He has improved a lot in his main weaknesses of free throw and 3pt shooting while improving on even his strengths. But his leadership and poise really shine.

If this is just the beginning of the next level he can reach, we might finally have the franchise player we’ve been waiting for. Give him and Randle a PG and let’s keep improving.

That’s the next move and draft solid bench players who can contribute when they are substituted in with 2:20 left in the first quarter lol

ESOMKnicks wrote:

technomaster wrote:I think RJ was haunted by this moment leading into his rookie season

I do not think RJ is ever haunted or daunted by anything. He has the stare of a cold-blooded assassin.

Spot on... that look.. I can only count on 1 hand bad losses we had where he didn’t have the assassin look. Usually it was against elite teams/players... he is attempting to get to that level.

I don’t know where rj is going. But his projection looks great so far.

I know 2 things

Randle can play at a high level
Rj can play at high level

We need 1 or 2 more guys like these 2 and the rest of the team guys who can perform their role.

Panos wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

KnickDanger wrote:Knicks won; 2019 draft.

They did. After Morant RJ is the best player from that draft

Are you saying RJ better than Zion?

“If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one your with........”

Panos wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

KnickDanger wrote:Knicks won; 2019 draft.

They did. After Morant RJ is the best player from that draft

Are you saying RJ better than Zion?

Remember pundits clowning the Knicks for "losing" that lottery? There is no question of the level of talent of Zion, and Morant could indeed end up being the more valuable of the two. But despite the dismissal of RJ's talent by the same gasbags, perhaps he's put himself into the conversation. In other words let's all come back here in ten years and compare notes. At the least I feel good about how I would feel then.

I said this after his 1st year with the Knicks. RJ will end up being the best player in his draft class. RJ's physique and size is bulit more for this league and he's durable.

He's developed a 3 point shot which will make him even more dangerous on offense. Still only 21 yrs old and will only get better.

His free throw shooting has also vastly improved. I can see RJ becoming an all star in the short term..

Deal with the reality of what was the 3rd pick. He is fulfilling his spot very nicely. Morant and Zion might be the best two players in the history of the game but it does not prove relevant as we did not pass on them. IF RJ proves better than either that only matters if he exceeds their greatness, not that one or the other falls to injury or incidence.
That Randle has fulfilled his promise takes the sting from the KP deal. Doe it matter how he came to us? Not really.

Rj is just scratching the surface, but it's very encouraging that he is improving in all facts of his game. His shooting splits have improved tremendously, his defense has been above average, his rapport with his teammates too. If Thibs played a role in the development of Kobe. Then I'm very bullish with RJ given the compliments he gets from thibs on his work ethic and drive to be great.

Hoping he can end the year with atleast shooting splits of 44/37/75 and gun for 46/39/80 next year with more variety of moves in his arsenal. I have confidence with dree hanlen that he can help RJ with this.

Finally the knicks have a star in the making IN RJ, without the baggage the normally comes with it.