With coaching camp on the horizon, All-Star hopeful RJ Barrett delivered the strongest message of confidence throughout Monday’s Media Day.
“I think we’re coming even more experience, even more hungry, a lot of guys with something to prove. Myself included, I have everything to prove,” Barrett mentioned. “That’s my mindset and I definitely think we’re going to shock the world.”
Barrett declined to outline such a shock – “it’s whatever you want it to mean,” he answered – nevertheless it’s truthful to say a playoff sequence victory would exceed expectations.
The Knicks appeared on a path towards competition a 12 months in the past, however final season’s sputter left them an afterthought within the stacked Eastern Conference. It’s laborious to squeeze them within the top-9 above the Bucks, Heat, Sixers, Cavs, Nets, Raptors, Bulls, Hawks or Celtics.
Still, Tom Thibodeau’s squad overcame comparable odds throughout their rise to the fourth seed in 2020-21. This season, they’ll financial institution on the addition of Jalen Brunson, the restoration of Derrick Rose, the revitalization of Julius Randle and the continued ascension of Barrett.
For Barrett, who simply signed a four-year, $107 million extension, the All-Star Game is a private aim. It’s lifelike for the 22-year-old — although most likely not going given his competitors within the Eastern Conference — after Barrett averaged 20 factors final season.
“I’ve thought that every year [about being an All-Star]. So, of course, I’m thinking that,” Barrett mentioned. “Just being a better player every year is what I strive for. People think you should make this huge leap out of nowhere and it’s like — if you just add one or two things to your game and just get better every year steadily, you’re going to get to where you want to go, whether it comes right away or comes later. So that’s what I’m focused on.”
Barrett would’ve had a demanding offseason if he paid consideration [he claims he didn’t]. He was dangled in commerce negotiations for Donovan Mitchell and declined to play for the Canadian nationwide workforce as a result of contract negotiations dragged till September.
Still, Barrett expressed no laborious emotions with the Knicks or the method.
“I think lots of people are in trade rumors. I’ve been in trade rumors. A rumor is a rumor. That’s what I think,” Barrett mentioned. “Whatever happened after that, I’m a Knick now. So I guess a rumor means nothing at this point.”
BRUNSON’S ‘AWFUL’ FREE AGENCY
Jalen Brunson was peeved concerning the publicity surrounding his free company.
“Free agency was kind of awful, how public it got,” mentioned the brand new Knicks level guard. “Not going to mislead you. For me, I’m a quite simple particular person. I cherished the chance to come back again east, in a well-recognized space the place I grew up, considerably shut. I’m simply actually excited for this chance with these guys.
“I think we can do something special.”
Brunson added “a lot of things” have been reported inaccurately however he declined to specify. As a results of the timeline of the reporting — which had Brunson dedicated to the Knicks lengthy earlier than free company began — the league opened an investigation into tampering.
The investigation is ongoing however Brunson mentioned he wasn’t contacted by the NBA. The Knicks, who employed Brunson’s father as an assistant coach, threat shedding a draft choose and/or a superb.
“My reaction to the league investigating? I didn’t really have one,” Jalen Brunson mentioned. “Nothing really to investigate.”
Knicks workforce president Leon Rose additionally denied tampering.
RANDLE CLEARS OUT HEAD AND CALORIES
After final season’s disappointment, Julius Randle mentioned he took some useful reflection time.
“The first part of the summer I just had to get away, spend time with the family, clear my head, reevaluate all different normal processing-type stuff,” Randle mentioned. “I think it really helped me this offseason. The offseason before, I didn’t. I just kinda got straight back into the work. And I think with anything, you need breaks. You need time to reflect and I gave myself that opportunity to recover.”
Randle arrived at coaching camp noticeably thinner, which might harm his skill to bully within the paint however ought to relieve his joints.
“These boys, they’re moving fast, man,” Randle mentioned. “Young dudes running up and down the court. Gotta keep up.”
A giant a part of Randle’s descent final season involved his angle and the a number of fines levied by the NBA. They turned indictments on Randle’s management. He didn’t acknowledge a problem however Monday mentioned he realized from final season’s travails.
“When it’s good, it’s easy to be a leader,” Randle mentioned. “When things aren’t as good and you’re going through adversity, I think it’s even more important. So, I learned a lot.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com