MILWAUKEE — As the Knicks moved to their high-scoring model with an offensive-minded backcourt, the duty has fallen on RJ Barrett to select up the defensive slack on the perimeter.
That has manifested in numerous methods however none extra apparent than Barrett’s distance traveled on the courtroom.
“Oh, I’m running,” he mentioned.
Heading into Friday’s matchup towards the Bucks, Barrett ranked seventh within the NBA in miles logged per sport at 2.76. He was additionally fifth in distance coated on protection — the one Knick within the prime 20 — which is indicative of being assigned the opposition’s prime perimeter risk.
Much of that’s about necessity. The Knicks’ backcourt of Jalen Brunson and Evan Fournier is subpar defensively, leaving Barrett — who’s bodily robust however not the quickest — as the best choice to protect the likes of Ja Morant and Gordon Hayward. The foot damage to Quentin Grimes, who hasn’t performed this season, has exacerbated the difficulty as a result of he’s Tom Thibodeau’s prime various to defend the perimeter.
Such bodily exertion may definitely sap Barrett’s scoring, which had fallen to low and inefficient ranges by means of the opening 4 video games. Barrett contemplated the excuse however in the end didn’t agree.
“I don’t know. I feel like I was guarding people last year, ended up doing pretty well,” mentioned Barrett, who entered Friday’s sport capturing simply 37% total and 14% from past the arc. “I definitely could be playing better offensively and I feel my rhythm coming back after not playing for a while.”
Thibodeau scoffed at the concept that Barrett is shouldering extra defensive duty in comparison with earlier seasons.
“No. That’s comical,” Thibodeau mentioned.
As Barrett famous, he’s been transferring like this for some time. It was by no means fairly on the degree of two.76 miles per sport, however the 2019 third-overall decide led the Knicks in distance traveled in all three of his seasons.
He’s additionally been an inefficient scorer within the NBA, capturing lower than 42% for his profession.
“I like being a player where, even if offensively I’m not having the best night, I can still be out there on the floor affecting winning in a different way,” he mentioned.
Perhaps the Knicks’ finest wing defender to play alongside Barrett — Reggie Bullock — left earlier than final season for the Mavericks in free company, and Grimes can’t be the substitute if he’s not obtainable.
It wouldn’t be stunning if Barrett guards Donovan Mitchell in Sunday’s sport towards the Cavaliers, which might be a matchup of intrigue due to the summer time commerce negotiations.
Barrett, who was supplied by the Knicks to the Utah Jazz for Mitchell, isn’t selling the sideshow.
“Who cares? I’m here. He’s there,” Barrett mentioned.
Besides, he had a variety of defensive duties to think about in Milwaukee and a shot to rediscover.
“It’s going to fall. She’s going to drop,” Barrett mentioned. “Especially final sport [Wednesday’s overtime victory over the Hornets] it felt nice, all of it felt nice, particularly that final shot — that final one I missed in extra time. I believed that was undoubtedly good.
“So it’s going to happen, it’s going to fall.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com