The NY Knicks have broken out. Coach Tom Thibodeau has led the team far beyond expectations, as they’re 24-23 and tied with the Hornets for 4th place in the Eastern Conference. First-time all-star Julius Randle is the front runner for The NBA’s Most Improved Player, recording a 4.0 box plus minus versus last year’s measly -.03. Immanuel Quickley is the steal of the 2021 draft. The NY Knicks selected him with only the 25th pick and the rookie is essential to New York’s playoff aspirations. At the center of all of the Knickerbocker’s current and future success is RJ Barrett.
Barrett’s rookie season was cursed to no fault of his own. As New York hoped for Zion Williamson and didn’t even have the opportunity to settle for Ja Morant, the expectations couldn’t have been higher for the #3 overall pick. The former Duke star had a decent rookie season, averaging 14.3 points with 5 rebounds on 40 / 32 / 61 shooting. A good start for a 19-year-old, but inevitably frustrating as Ja Morant won Rookie of The Year and Zion Williamson dazzled in his injury-shortened season. Barrett missed out on the All-Rookie Team as fellow rookie Tyler Herro stole the show for the Class of 2020 in the bubble, helping Jimmy Butler and the Heat reach the NBA Finals (This season? Not so much). Barrett appeared far from a bust, but there was certainly a little FOMO when looking at his rookie class.
This season, Barrett has put the league on notice. He’s turned flashes of brilliance and inconsistent play into becoming a steady hand on a playoff team. He’s averaging 17.4 points with 6.1 rebounds on 44 / 33 / 73 and is getting better as the season progresses. In his last 13 games, he’s averaging 20.1 points with 6 rebounds on 47 / 32 / 74 shooting. He’s been a phenomenal defender, overpowering wings with his size and stellar footwork. Not only is he taking better shots, but he’s passing out of drives to open teammates. His three-point shooting is streaky, but Barrett has looked great from beyond the arc, as he shot 47.4% from three in the month of February.
With the chance to be a homegrown star, every big game for Barrett is juice for New York. Here are RJ’s four best games of the season.