Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The third-year Knicks wing has had an up-and-down season but a recent stretch of good play is an encouraging sign of what’s to come.
It’s been a confusing season for New York Knicks forward RJ Barrett. In the offseason, there were major rumblings about him getting traded for Donovan Mitchell. The Knicks opted to punt on the trade, and the next thing you knew, Barrett was the holder of a four-year extension. Signing former Dallas Mavericks point guard Jalen Brunson meant the Knicks envisioned Barrett, Brunson, and Julius Randle as a big three in the Big Apple.
Barrett’s inconsistent play to start the season frustrated fans as Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers were climbing in the standings. No player is perfect, and efficiency is something RJ has struggled with throughout his career. Watching Mitchell electrify adoring Cavs fans every night has left a lot of doubt about whether being more aggressive to acquire him would have been the correct choice.
As of late, RJ Barrett is starting to improve his play, however. After a very up-and-down third year for the Knicks forward, it’s worth reflecting on what he’s done.
December surge after a slow start:
Barrett didn’t have the best start to the season. The Knicks forward would average 17.7 points on 40/21.9/79.2 shooting splits in six October games. Improving a bit in the next month, he’d average 19.2 points on 40.8/30.3/77.4 splits while playing 33.8 minutes per game. New York would finish November with a 7-9 record.
December is when things looked like they were turning a corner. After three below-average games to start the month, RJ had his best stretch of the season. Scoring 22+ points in five straight games while having at least a 43 percent field goal percentage in all five. More importantly, the Knicks were on a winning streak due to his contributions. Barrett would have an 18-point game to end his streak of 20+, but followed that up with 30-and 44-point games. He was starting to look more like the dominant force Knicks fans had hoped for.
The lacerated finger injury:
Amid his best month of the season, RJ Barrett would suffer an unfortunate finger injury against the Dallas Mavericks. He missed six games before returning and scoring 27 points in a victory over the Indiana Pacers. The rest of January featured two great performances against his hometown Toronto Raptors.
Lakers’ benching:
January would end on a sour note for RJ Barrett as he only played 27 minutes in a 129-123 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He checked out with 6:51 left in the fourth quarter and never came back. This caused an uproar, and even some of us (hand up) frantically started typing away at what the benching could mean. With the trade deadline approaching, it raised questions about if the Knicks might look to deal Barrett.
Forgetful February:
To start February, Barrett scored 30 points while playing 41 minutes to defeat the Miami Heat. Jalen Brunson did not play, which meant RJ had more freedom to create and took full advantage. Hoping this would unleash the third-year forward, he fell into a real struggle after that performance. The addition of Josh Hart only hurt RJ’s production, and he was starting to feel even more irrelevant on the court. Finally breaking his poor on-court streak, Barrett hit 8 of 13 field goals, 4 of 7 three-pointers, and went a perfect 5/5 from the foul line for 25 points in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Closing the month, he’d shoot poorly against the Boston Celtics, which was unfortunate given his strong play against New Orleans.
March/where we are now:
It’s been three straight games of at least 25+ for Barrett which is a good sign. Rebounding numbers are also up, pulling down 11, six, and seven boards in those games. Yes, one of those was a double overtime game, but he knocked down 10 of 22 field goals (45.5%). Jalen Brunson has only played two of 12 quarters during this stretch which isn’t the worst thing. Barrett is starting to heat offensively, and if the Knicks can trust him, it could allow Brunson some time to rest with his recent foot injury. The three-point shooting has been bad but he’s been more aggressive in getting to the foul line. His nine, eight, and 10 foul shots are the most he’s taken in a three-game stretch this season.
The recent run can be a real confidence builder for RJ. A player like him gaining confidence will only elevate the ceiling of a team that has a chance to be an extremely difficult out in the playoffs. It’s been an inconsistent career for RJ Barrett to this point, but he continuously shows flashes that would pull any fanbase in.
Here’s to hoping the flashes come more frequently.
Follow Josh on Twitter for more Knicks news and stories.
Jwiesel13
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2023/3/11/23633884/rj-barrett-showing-signs-of-life-with-recent-scoring-surge
By: Jwiesel13
Title: RJ Barrett showing signs of life with recent scoring surge
Sourced From: www.postingandtoasting.com/2023/3/11/23633884/rj-barrett-showing-signs-of-life-with-recent-scoring-surge
Published Date: 03-12-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the NBA's greatest defender?
If you are familiar with basketball, it is not surprising to see "The Dream", at number one on this list. Hakeem Olajuwon blocked 3,830 shot during his 18-year NBA playing career. This number is higher than any other player in NBA history. He was also an All Defensive player 9 times and 2 times DPOY. His team won two NBA Championships. He was a great defender. His footwork, timing, and athleticism made him a good shot blocker as well as a rebounder. He was a nightmare to opposing players because he could guard any position on court. Not only was he a formidable defensive player, but he was also a top offensive player. He was quick, agile, and had a wide range of spin moves that allowed him to score at the post. His all-around versatility made him one of the best players, let alone defenders. This list should include Hakeem Olajuwon.
Bill Russell barely makes #2 on this list due to his average of 15.1 ppg, but he was the best defender during his era and gave opposing teams nightmares. Bill Russell is a legend, having won 11 NBA Championships during his career. His defensive prowess as well as rebounding abilities were key to the Boston Celtics' incredible success. His ability as a defender to anticipate plays and comprehend the strategies of his opponents made him an intimidating presence. This is why many consider him the best defender in NBA history.
This is the third place list, with Dennis Rodman. He was an exceptional player in the NBA history and had a huge impact every time he played. Rodman excelled by playing hard defense, rebounding well and not needing to score the ball. This enabled his team to win frequently. In fact, Dennis Rodman was a 7-time Rebounding Champ, 8-time All-Defensive Player, 2-time DPOY, and a 5-time NBA Champion. His defensive end skills were among the most impressive, with his determination and ability to stay in the right position at the correct time. He was also a good rebounder. He could out-jump much taller players while grabbing boards away from them.
Which NBA star is the most dominant scorer in the league now?
The answer to this question is subjective, as different players have different styles of play that make them unique and successful. Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry are all popular choices for NBA's most dominant scorer.
Kevin Durant's not just a great shooting player, but he is also an offensive force! This player is an elite player, having won two NBA Championships as well 2 Finals MVPs. He also holds the regular season MVP title.
Which is the greatest NBA dynasty?
This hotly contested topic has been discussed for decades. The "showtime Lakers of 1980-1989" dominated the league for nearly a decade, winning five championships led by Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. During this period, the Lakers featured stars such as James Worthy (Byron Scott), and Kurt Rambis.
The Los Angeles Lakers from 200-2004 (later the Shaw and Kobe Lakers), were a force that had to be reckoned. They were defended by Shaquille and Kobe Bryant, both Hall of Famers. They won three consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002.
The Chicago Bulls in the 1990s were also a dominant force. They won six titles under Phil Jackson, their iconic head coach. Michael Jordan was the team's greatest player, widely regarded as one of the greatest ever. The Chico Bulls from 1995-1996 are among the most storied teams in NBA history. They won their first of three consecutive NBA titles and set a new record with 72 wins. The Golden State Warriors later broke the Bulls' 72-10 regular season record in 2015-2016.
The Boston Celtics of the 1960s are perhaps the most famed dynasty in the history of the NBA, winning eight consecutive championships and 11 titles in 13 years under Hall of Fame head coach Red Auerbach. Legendary players Bill Russell, Bob Cousys, John Havliceks, Sam Jones and John Havlicek helped to create a winning culture which has been unmatched in decades.
The San Antonio Spurs are a contender for best NBA dynasty. The Spurs have won four championships since 1999 and enjoyed one of the most successful runs in NBA history. The team was led by future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Gregg Popovich as their coach. They improved the team's basketball game, emphasizing a team-first mindset that helped them to be successful.
The Golden State Warriors are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, with four championships in the last decade. They are led by superstar players Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and head coach Steve Kerr. The Warriors play an exciting brand of basketball that has thrilled fans worldwide and are also in the conversation for the greatest NBA dynasty of all time.
It's not easy to pick the best NBA dynasty. Each team had its unique group of players and coaches that made them successful, but some stood out more than others due to their dominance. There are many contenders for the title of greatest NBA dynasty, including the Bulls Bulls Celtics Spurs Warriors, Bulls, Bulls, Celtics and Celtics.
When was Bill Russell last seen?
"The great ones play when it counts most" -Bill Russell
Legends live forever. A legend dies when he stops playing.
However, those moments gave us a glimpse of the greatest basketball players.
Russell was born in February 1934. He died on July 31, 2022. He won 11 championships with the Boston Celtics in only 13 seasons.
Bill Russell received five MVP Awards and 12 All-Star selections. In the Basketball Hall of Fame, he was also inducted. He was a remarkable leader and defender, who ignited the game's passion for winning.
He transformed the Celtics team from a poor one to one of sports' greatest dynasties. He was a tough competitor and an unselfish teammate, who inspired his teammates towards their full potential.
Russell has inspired generations upon generations of coaches, players, and fans. His legacy will never fade.
Bill Russell, Rest in Peace. You will forever be remembered as one of the greatest basketball players.
What is a NBA-specific hybrid contract?
A hybrid contract allows the NBA to offer players higher salaries that they wouldn't otherwise be able. These contracts count a part of the salary against the team's limit, while the rest is paid directly to players as a bonus. This allows teams to offer larger salaries while still being able to comply with league salary restrictions. This gives players incentive to sign with certain teams as they could make more than they otherwise would.
Statistics
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20% of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Meanwhile, the opening night rosters include a record-setting 234 players with some G League experience, according to the NBA ( Twitter link ). (hoopsrumors.com)
- An estimated 800 million viewers watched the [105]2017–18 season. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Between 2012 and 2019, the league lost 40 to 45 percent of its viewership. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
twitter.com
- Tweet / Twitter
- Sam Amico on Twitter: "Timberwolves Waive PJ Dozier, CJ Elleby and AJ Lawson - Hoops Wire https://t.co/xKu1ZTuQZN" / Twitter
si.com
nba.com
basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
How To
How can you prepare for a NBA game experience?
It is important to have the correct tickets in order to be prepared for a NBA game experience. Tickets can be purchased through the team's website, or an online third-party seller. Make sure you know all the rules and regulations of the arena so that you aren’t surprised. Be sure to arrive in plenty of time to warm-up or do pre-game activities. You can purchase team merchandise (e.g. a shirt or cap) if you'd like. To capture close-up views of the court action, bring your camera. You might also consider other entertainment options, such as a concert, or special event at halftime, if the action is too intense for you. Enjoy the game.
