New York Knicks: Dennis Smith Jr.’s quest to make RJ Barrett a rookie star
Dennis Smith Jr. has high aspirations for his New York Knicks teammate, RJ Barrett, this season. He wants to push him to the NBA’s top rookie prize.
The New York Knicks have not hosted the NBA Rookie of the Year since the 1985-86 season, when Patrick Ewing followed up being the No. 1 overall pick to win the award. Besides Kristaps Porzingis, the past three decades have not seen a player approach this accolade, whether due to having lower first-round picks, no first-round picks or unproductive rookies.
The next batch of Knicks rookies is led by RJ Barrett, the No. 3 pick of the 2019 NBA Draft. He has expectations after high school and collegiate success, but the professional level offers different circumstances, including the opposing talent level.
A potential goal for Barrett is to win the 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year award. There is always competition to achieve this, and the same will happen in the upcoming season.
One Knicks teammate, Dennis Smith Jr., wants to help the Duke product win it, though, or make it as one of his “focal points.” He said this in an interview with YouTube’s Chris Henderson (h/t SNY):
"“I’m treating that as one of my focal points just to help him win Rookie of the Year. And whatever I can do, I’m willing to do it. It’s important for us and it’s important for our team and it’s important for our morale moving forward, so I think it would be major if he won that.”"
The fact it is a team goal signals the support Barrett has from his teammates for a successful first season. They were not able to do this with Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson or Allonzo Trier, each of whom had positives in their respective rookie years, so trying in the next go-around, and with a player selected higher than any of them in the draft, offers the potential for this to succeed.
Barrett will battle with his ex-college teammate, Zion Williamson, for this award. The draft’s first pick will be a favorite to win due to the special athleticism and skill set shown in college. If it translates, there might not be a chance for the Canadian-born player to rival him.
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant is another potential candidate, especially if he holds the Memphis Grizzlies’ starting point guard job for the full season. He will have opportunities on a thin, rebuilding roster, and will work alongside Jaren Jackson Jr.
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New York Knicks teammates willingly helping Barrett win the Rookie of the Year award is promising. It will take the full season before evaluating if he will win, but as of the preseason, he should be one of the favorites.