Daily Knicks
Fansided

Knicks: 3 things to can learn from RJ Barrett’s Duke team

By Allen Settle

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 19: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski talks with RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 19, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 72-70. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 19: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski talks with RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 19, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 72-70. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Knicks
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils shoots the ball against Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2) Crash the Offensive Boards

Another staple of the 2018-2019 Duke attack was their stellar offensive rebounding. On the season, the team averaged the fifth highest total of offensive rebounds per game. This is not surprising considering the team’s clear athletic advantage over their opponents.

While it is much more difficult to out-athlete NBA players, there are reasons to believe that the Knicks could duplicate this trait. Julius Randle is off to an incredible start to the young season in every statistical category, including rebounding. Robinson chipped in a tidy seven boards per contest last season despite playing only 23.1 minutes per game.

With increased playing time, I expect the young center to crack the ranks as a top rebounder. Both players also ranked inside the top 20 in average offensive boards per game.

Additionally, the team also has above average positional rebounders in their projected starting point guard Payton and shooting guard Barrett. They should have a realistic path to finishing the 2021 season as a top offensive rebounding team.

Home/Knicks News