Pull up a chair, get cozy. It’s time to have a severe dialog about RJ Barrett.
This is an uncomfortable subject for a variety of causes, specifically that $107 million extension that hasn’t even began but. There’s a lot hope hooked up to Barrett’s future, the full-on hype of representing the franchise’s highest decide since Patrick Ewing and its first draftee to signal a second contract in 23 years.
Only two months in the past, Leon Rose, who’s batting effectively under the Mendoza Line along with his strikes, justified the extension by making comparisons even Garden propagandists ought to’ve thought audacious.
“His numbers are in the company of elite,” Rose instructed MSG Network whereas cobbling collectively three stat totals by gamers 22 years outdated or youthful. “His numbers are in the company of Kobe Bryant, Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Kevin Durant.”
Which brings us to the current. And why we’re sitting by the hearth for this heart-to-heart.
Barrett, as witnessed by way of a lot of his younger profession, has a problem with effectivity. He misses an excessive amount of. From too many elements of the courtroom.
There had been moments the final two seasons when it appeared Barrett would overcome this deficiency when he transformed sufficient to earn chants at MSG and that massive extension. But as Barrett’s position grows within the offense — and as he supplants Julius Randle because the group chief in shot makes an attempt — the issue has solely intensified.
In essence, it is a fundamental math equation. A participant capturing 39% total and 26% from past the arc — as Barrett mustered by way of 19 video games — shouldn’t shoot this many occasions. He owns the group’s worst efficient discipline purpose share and the group’s most discipline purpose makes an attempt. It’s not a profitable method.
Take away the pandemic season and Barrett is capturing 40.4% for his profession, which is about 65 share factors under the NBA common.
“Get in the gym, put in the extra work,” Tom Thibodeau mentioned. “It’s all you can do.”
As he did final season with Randle’s struggles, Thibodeau dances across the topic. The coach’s reflex reply to questions on slumps is an entire deflection or ‘get in the gym,’ which is ok till it’s not. Meanwhile, Barrett operates with a inexperienced mild on the courtroom and postgame pshaws.
“Don’t worry about me,” Barrett mentioned. “I’m fine.”
When the struggles attain this degree, there are superb strains between confidence, conceitedness and delusion. It’s comprehensible, and maybe encouraging, that Barrett, a prime basketball prospect for a lot of his life, feels assured and maintains his aggressiveness.
An ego is important to succeed in Barrett’s degree.
And but, there’s a distinction in accountability from Jalen Brunson — who takes accountability whether or not or not it’s warranted — to Barrett and Randle — who hardly ever give introspective responses on their private struggles.
“I’m cool,” he mentioned after Friday night time’s 6-for-22 efficiency. “I always watch the film to see where I could’ve done a better job. But I’m cool.”
If Barrett regarded laborious sufficient on the movie, he’d discover some correctable points. Outside capturing can all the time enhance. His tunnel imaginative and prescient when driving to the ring can change. His contact within the paint could evolve into one thing much less abrasive. However, the rationale for a few of Barrett’s points is tough to rectify. Perhaps unattainable. We warned you this dialog isn’t comfy.
As understood about Barrett heading into the draft, he’s hardly an elite athlete. The lack of explosion and lateral quickness is manifested in his struggles ending on the rim and maintaining on protection. Barrett is nice with a full head of steam in transition. The momentum advantages his sturdy construct.
The half-court recreation? Problematic.
“My game is getting to the rim,” Barrett mentioned. “I shoot the open 3 when I got it. I know my game.”
That’s a superb technique if both of these pictures had been falling, however the query now, after so many misfires, is whether or not Barrett’s recreation ought to change? Should he lead the group in minutes and shot makes an attempt? Should his offense get scaled again? What’s the cost-benefit evaluation of permitting Barrett to shoot his means out of a droop?
On Sunday night time, the Knicks face the athletic phenomenon, Ja Morant, the participant taken straight forward of Barrett within the 2019 draft. We’d be having a a lot totally different dialog if the draft lottery balls landed in another way that night time in Chicago.
But that’s a part of the uncomfortability surrounding Barrett lately. He’s judged by what he’s not as a result of there’s been a lot left for need.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com