Following the team’s 104-102 loss to Boston on Friday, Knicks coach David Fizdale praised rookie forward RJ Barrett and the durability he has shown, comparing his attitude to 2019 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.
“He’s really put together. There’s times he’s not sweating and I’m like, ‘Are you going hard?’” Fizdale said, “But he is. He’s playing really hard. The only other guy I saw who I’ve coached against that doesn’t look like is breaking a sweat is Kawhi. Kawhi doesn’t look like he’s breathing (hard). RJ has that same act where he’s out there, his face doesn’t change and he’s going about his business.’’
Barrett, who was selected by the Knicks third overall in June’s NBA Draft, has averaged 17.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 36.5 minutes through the team’s first six games.
New York sports an intriguing young mix headlined by Barrett and center Mitchell Robinson, though the team’s just 1-6 on the campaign. The Knicks have upcoming games scheduled against Sacramento (2-5), Detroit (3-4) and Dallas (4-2) this week.
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division tonight:
- Raptors star Pascal Siakam is proving his worth in a leadership role with the team, Matt John of Basketball Insiders writes. Siakam, who signed a four-year, $130MM extension with the team last month, has averaged 26 points and 8.5 rebounds through six games. Toronto is seeking its seventh straight playoff appearance behind Siakam, Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol and others, sporting a competitive group despite losing Leonard in free agency last summer.
- The Raptors need to find a way to reduce Kyle Lowry‘s workload this season, Laura Armstrong of The Toronto Star writes. Lowry, who turns 34 in March, is in his 14th NBA season and is coming off a campaign in which he averaged 34 minutes per contest.
- Former Celtics star Paul Pierce believes a weight has been lifted in the absence of Kyrie Irving this season, as relayed by Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. “I mean, everybody knows that,” Pierce said. “I’m not even in the building yet, and I’m hearing every day that everybody feels like a weight’s been lifted off of them. Just walking around, you can tell. Or just seeing it on the court. It’s different.”
Can someone please explain to me why David Fizdale finds it necessary to play the future of your franchise RJ Barrett 41 (!) freaking minutes, in a blow out game nonetheless?! Pure recklessness on the part of Fizzdale. I love RJ and he’s an absolute stud, but what good reason is there to drive him into the ground and play him 40 minutes a night, when you can play him 32-33 and accomplish the same thing without putting all that extra wear and tear and all those extra miles on his knees and legs?? Someone seriously needs to call him our for his stupidity before they screw the poor kid up.
Agreed. The Knicks are going nowhere. No need to be playing him 40 a game. With that said, Barrett looks awesome.
If he was a center I’d understand but guards should be able to hand the minutes
You don’t get better sitting on the bench
Then why isn’t RJ playing all 48 minutes then? /s
Be cause he needs some rest
didn’t you read his explanation? he doesn’t think the kid can get tired.
Somehow he also believes that Kawhi never works hard enough to get tired and gasp for more oxygen. I don’t know what games he watched, maybe just against the Knicks but Kawhi is often working up to and past his limits, sweating and getting out of breath often in games. He pushes his limits and it’s often visible enough anyone can pick up on it. He doesn’t coast around and take it easy. He’s working hard and desperate to take every advantage he can.
Good luck to the Knicks and their myopic coach.
yes it probably is against the Knicks that Kawhi coasts around without his full effort. He’s a smart player and knows he should conserve himself for real NBA contests.