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New York Knicks: Unlocking RJ Barrett’s star potential

By Adam Kester

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 28: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks looks on after the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 28, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 28: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks looks on after the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 28, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks in action against Jordan McRae #52 of the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on March 08, 2020 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 96-84. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks in action against Jordan McRae #52 of the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on March 08, 2020 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 96-84. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Ball Handling & Driving

RJ Barrett doesn’t have an electric handle. He doesn’t dribble the ball low enough to the ground and it allows defenders to easily reach their arms in and disrupt him.

What he lacks in quickness he makes up for in craftiness. Barrett uses his length on offense by taking long strides and using the full extension of his 6’10″ wingspan to slice his way close to the basket.

His strength has also been a big plus. Barrett is already bigger than a lot of NBA guards, but as he matures, his frame will allow him to bang with some of the bigger wings in the league as well.

The video sequence below shows the good and the bad.

You can see Barrett starts the play dribbling pretty low to the ground. The second he loses focus and dribbles the ball higher, Marcus Smart reaches in and knocks the ball away. Dribbling high up by your chest makes your reactions to defenders slower.

Of course, the defense and effort that he shows after he loses the ball is why you should believe in Barrett. The kid never gives up on a play. At the end of the sequence, you see how effective his length and long strides can be.

One of Barrett’s best skills is his ability to use both hands. Barrett is right-handed but shoots the ball as a lefty.

While some have found the decision to shoot the ball with his nondominant hand strange, he’s not the only one. LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Paul Millsap are a few current lefty NBA players who shoot with their right hand.

Barrett already uses his strength, length, and basic crossovers to get by people. He doesn’t need a huge bag of moves. If he can tighten up his dribbling and keep the ball lower to the ground, it will make his life much easier when dealing with pesky perimeter defenders.

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