Knicks guard RJ Barrett is in the midst of a miserable shooting slump, Marc Berman of the New York Post notes. The No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft has made just 19 of 72 field-goal attempts since scoring 26 points in the team’s opener. He’s also missed all 21 of his 3-point tries in the last four games. However, Tom Thibodeau said this week that Barrett contributes in many ways.
“He’s doing a lot of things for us defensively, moving well without the ball. He’s getting downhill,” the Knicks coach said. “There’s a lot of room for him to grow. … Just having a wing to do things he can do, his versatility is a big asset for the team and willingness to make plays for people.”
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Thibodeau has stuck with the same starting five in the first five games because he wants to establish chemistry and a coherent rotation, Berman writes in a separate story. “I think they’re familiar with each other,’’ Thibodeau said. “It’s a good balance of how they complement each other. We have three guys that can go off the dribble pretty effectively. We have shooting with Reggie (Bullock) and defense. And Mitch (Mitchell Robinson) is really coming on. So I like the balance of that group, especially with our bench.’’
- The Raptors have played better with Norman Powell in the starting lineup but it creates other issues, Doug Smith of the Toronto Star writes. In 90 career starts, Powell has averaged 13.3 PPG while shooting 41% from 3-point range. Toronto could go small by taking Aron Baynes out of the lineup but that would affect the second unit and reduce Alex Len‘s playing time, Smith adds.
- ICYMI, virtually every Atlantic Division teams has checked in with the Rockets regarding disgruntled star James Harden. Get the details here.
Barrett is 0 for his last 21 from 3 but is moving well without the ball. What else would you want?
I compare
RJ Barrett to Kent Bazemore
Mitchell Robinson to McGee
Knicks fans think they are superstars
Think if they play for Nets or Clippers
Are they rotation players?
Robinson is a rotationspieler yes. RJ not.
You’re delusional.
Thibs: “Mitch is really coming on”
With that, guess what— Robinson’s stats are way down.
@x%sure…
Totally agree with you, so far Robinson’s stats are getting even worse than what they use to be, a real head scratcher from a clueless HC, only in NYC, right?
Clueless posters is more like it. Hilarious how easy you become Sillyman. When you want to hate. I doubt any of you even watch the Knicks. Ignorance is inexcusable to me. You understand we call look if stats. Try it.
To be fair you can’t blame anyone for not watching Knicks games
Why would I. But how can you know about them. Or have an intelligent take on them. I only talk about teams and players I watch. Otherwise how can I opine.
“You understand we call look if stats. Try it.”
What? Maybe try to make sense.
I looked at the stats. That’s why I said what I said. They’re terrible and declining. Maybe he’s a slow starter. But how is he going to respond to “really coming on” from the coach when he knows he’s playing like crap? He does not figure everything out but he is smart enough to know the coach is lying and he has him pidgeonholed already as someone with minimal expectations. I mean, a backup star on a Thibs team?
Notice how K.Al never actually says MR is doing well.
Predict Thibs never warms to MR and Knicks trade him because other teams want him and there’s not much else there they do want. But he will need a coach more like Fizdale.
Or play OG with the 2nd unit more? That way you get your 72M out of him.
Knicks roster is just bad. Mitchell Robinson is pretty much the only player on the team that another squad would want. R.J. Barrett is not a good player. He is a highly inefficient scorer who is prone to shooting slumps. He don’t never get hot from distance. Julius Randle is a stat-getter on bad teams. Julius Randle and wins just don’t ever seem to go together.
It’s too early to judge R.J. Barrett. He is still young and it’s his second year hopefully he will get better . Mitchell Robinson Is improving but will not be a superstar . Randle needs to be traded while he is hot and overachieving.
Agreed on Randle. He’s probably this year’s Morris, which got the Knicks Quickley through the draft.
I’m not sure why everyone is either really high or really down on Robinson. To me, he’s pretty much a solid rotational big man that defends well in the post and hits the boards. However, he lacks the offensive upside and versatility to ever be a true game-changer
The only thing on the docket for the first half is getting optimal value for Randle- Give that dude 40 mins per and the rock
2nd half- They get too see the youth run wild
Best case scenario is as many losses as possible
Then we all have our glorious offseason of “what ifs” for the City- Im rooting for them tho, basketball is better with meaningful games at MSG
RJ now is the fourth best player from his class, behind ja, zion and herro. And i think he can get even better in that rank
Garland, clarke, white, hunter, porter are all better and more consistent than RJ right now.
Hunter and Porter im open to debate. The others i really dont agree, but its fair enough
Uh…Porter wasn’t in that draft class. As for Garland, Clarke, and White – no. I do like Hunter, but RJ’s ceiling is higher and they’re only entering year two. He’s got quite a few years ahead of him, I’m sure.
I really consider them still in their late first year since the shorter season last year and no summer league and meaningful training camp. I believe RJ Will be fine keep playing him and let him learn . As a knicks fan I really want them to play the young player so they gain game experience. I don’t care for wins this year . Knicks should sign Korver to help RJ with his shoot or have Allen Houston mentor him.
I forgot that Michael Porter was from 2018 class. Also a knicks fan here. Someone like Korver would really help a lot RJ, Knox and Frank
I think he meant Kevin Porter Jr? Cavs were high on him.
KPJ is good but lacks starter minutes and possibly has lifestyle issues.
People are still catching up to Darius Garland, a natural baller as opposed to a remarkable athlete like Barret.
Brandon Clarke finally got some minutes but so far that’s his only improved stat. It’s early still. Like Barret’s 3pt%, some things should even out.
Good old knicks
I am only worried about one thing
6 teams may win less games than Knicks then Knicks can’t win 1st overall draft pick in July
Grizzlies
Thunder
Wolves
Pistons
Hornets
Bulls
No worries knicks will be in the bottom four. Only thunder , Detroit are worse than them . Bulls is a toss up . Wolves hornets and grizzlies are better.
If anyone has watched any of the Knicks games, the only thing that is missing in RJs game right now is the fact he’s on a cold streak. His defense has improved quite a bit and he’s playing smarter on the floor. His first game out he was 9-9 from the field and dropped 5-5 from the three to kick it off. NY media has always been overly critical. Wait until he drops 50 in a game and the NY media asks how could Memphis pass on him in 2019.
Robinson is a good player, and could certainly start for some teams, but he’s not all-star material.
5 gms into the season and the geniuses are out. I doubt 90% of you even watch the teams you criticize. You obviously don’t know who Mitch is. Always a good laugh to get all this insight from fans that don’t even watch the games. Try watching n learning before you vent.
Knicks are rebuilding. And they have a new regime. You really think they will have answers after 5 games. Stop exposing yourselves go watch your team. To the geniuses who talk about a 22 yr old Mitch. First he hasn’t really been a starter yet, He avg 23 mins last yr. Hes sill learning to play in NBA. You numnuts don’t get it takes 3-4 yrs to show. When you come into league at 19. Thibs is a real coach. He will need about half the yr to weed them out. Plus he needs to build value to trade the weed. RJ does have to get his shot better. A real PG helps that. Cause if you want to judge on 5 gms. Then he’s shot great when the PG played well. RJ, He’s a future star. I’d like all who disagree to say so. So we can expose you then. The guy has played in NBA for a total of 61 gms. Not even a full season.
Mitch stats so far are better than last yr. only 5 gms
He’s actually staying in the game. Which Was his biggest fault. Career high 28 mins. His D us way better
. Holding down the middle. Knicks D is much better this yr cause of Mitch and Thibs. He’s easily a double double guy. The day he avgs 34 mins. He’ll be a 16 and 10 player EASY. But most important is making Knicks a better D team. Knicks are not a playoff team unless they get a PG. Even they they will fight for last spots. We are a rebuilding team. Thibs has been our coach for 5 gms. Stop showing your ignorance. You don’t need to post all your nonsense and hate.
Last yr RJ played 1,709 mins. Only 6 Rookies played more than 1,700 mins. And all 5 of them played more gms than RJ (56). RJ avg 14.5 a gm Only 3 rookies avg more. RJ will have a nice career. Mitch will have a nice career. I hope you stick around so I can remind you. Knicks recent history deserves the criticism. You should really know facts if you are going to shoot down 20 n 22 yr olds.
You may be watching all of the games … but if you think R.J. Barrett is anything more than a player who can get points on bad teams then you are sadly mistaken. Barrett can’t shoot!! He cannot make mid-range jumpers let alone 3-point shots which he shoots under 30%. A two-guard who cannot shoot is not a recipe for success in the NBA. R.J. needs a point guard???? Really??? What high-level wing do you know of in the NBA who can’t get his own shot? All the “good” things you are saying about R.J. are how he played in all the games and played more minutes than all the other rookies. So What??? His shooting percentages were AWFUL. Quote some of that. He couldn’t make 2s, 3s or free throws. R.J. is a point-getter on bad teams. A horribly inefficient scorer. Thibs is an excellent coach. He just doesn’t have any real pieces other than Mitch. R.J. Barrett ain’t no piece!!
Sadly is your definition of knowledge. RJ can get his shot on anyone in NBA. What basketball do you watch. Shooting is still a work in progress I agree. They aren’t the same. Or do you need me to explain. He’s a career .40% FG, .31% 3PT. He’s not a consistent shooter yet. A PG will get him better looks. Hence better decisions. Hence better FG%. If you think you know RJ after 61 TOTAL NBA games. Then we really have nothing to argue about. Just comeback at the end of his second yr. I won’t forget you. So even though he’s as terrible as you say as a Rookie. Then how did he avg more than all except Zion (who played 20 gms), Morant ROY, Dunnwho played 14 more gms. Imagine how he does when he finally learns to score. Mitch has a good future. RJ has and all star future. Fact you think Mitch has done something. Only exposes you as someone who doesn’t watch the Knicks and doesn’t know talent. RJ right now is a top 20 defender. Mitch can’t even stay on the court yet. Go read more so you can tell what you don’t know. Or go watch more espn.
For any who don’t want to muck through those giant nonstop paragraphs, K.Al is doubling down on his foolish homer heat. Anyone can tap on Robinson’s name in the story to take a look at his stats— PER 24 to 14, etc. He will always look great physically and cover a large area and try hard (until he quits showing up. And if Thibs relies on that topic to motivate, maybe quit doing so.)
You constantly show your incompetence here. Try another sport is my advice. Who is talking about Mitch. Even RJ is not the picture here. It’s criticizing when you don’t even watch. What can you possibly be talking about. A writers take. A Utube clip. I not only watch. I got talent. Yet I will wait yrs for a 20 yr old. Mitch has never played more than 20 mins a gm. You don’t watch yet you know him. I’ve forgotten more basketball than you will ever learn
Dude, you come across as a very arrogant sob!
Try some humility, you know you are wrong more times than not, so why always pick on anyone who disagrees with you?
Twice the pride, double the fall, right?
YOU are talking about Mitch mostly and me partly, so hello dolt. I was mostly talking about Thibs talking about MitchR in the OP but I guess it was hard comprehension for the easily confused. ElDon got it. BTW Thibs doesn’t sound like a fan of his players, so a high turnaround should be expected coming up.
Do I watch the Knicks?— not so far, even when they played the Cavs. The players will be moving on; nothing to remember at this union. When Toppin comes back, then. He only played one part-game.
Spurs fans could complain about me and have, as I try to figure that team out. Bit, Knick-fan posters keep me pretty informed. About time for more speculation on Ntilkina.
See this? I hit my enter key and it gave me a paragraph break.
Sorry guys. I suppose we’re no longer allowed to share our opinions regarding the Knicks since we apparently “don’t watch the games”
RJ had wild open shots, Toronto knew it and didn’t focus any D on him… Hope Thibs can help him get better that would really help Knicks offense
I think RJ has to become a better shooter. Has to be more consistent. A PG, better decisions, and2000 shots a day should help. I believe he’s the type of player who will get it done. I can criticize him but I can’t judge him after a TOTAL of 62 NBA gms.
Tonight :::: he held Oladipo to 16 pts on 19% FG.
RJ stats 25 pts on 53% FG, 80% FG 3PT. It’s only one gm. I won’t judge for at least 3 more yrs. But I like what I see. One of best 2way young players in NBA.
Since the haters here don’t watch. Go read the stats
This board is mostly bunch of idiotic comments. People judging the ceiling of a 20 year old and shortchanging a big that all other 29 teams would be interested to sign and have on their team. He is a complete court defender(blocks threes and rim protects) which is the current NBAs obsession. He runs the floor and is a lob threat against ANYONE IN THE LEAGUE. ANYONE. The kid also can shoot. But he is also a 2nd year player on a developing team.
The fact anyone is trying to make conclusions on the youngest team in the league is a joke.
Oh and the BS analytics you people masturbate to is also a joke when a franchise has a different coach and game plan and management smhhh every season since a player has been drafted. Positives actually can be concluded amidst all that dysfunction cause imagine production in a well ran organization. But not so much the negatives I’ve heard brought up on this comment board.