NY Knicks: 3 players who must step up to make noise in the playoffs

NY Knicks: RJ Barrett can reach new heights with a strong playoff performance

It’s hard not to sound anything but ecstatic when talking about how far RJ Barrett has come this season. There were always flashes of skill in his rookie year, but he’s taken steps forward in his sophomore year that not even the most optimistic fan could have felt confident he would make so soon.

Barrett’s improvements as a scorer and defender have him on course to being an All-Star caliber down the line. His success has him in a prominent role on a playoff team at just 20 years old. If you were to ask who the Knicks’ 2nd best player is, mostly everyone would say RJ Barrett.

For the most part, Barrett will deliver as the “Robin” to Randle’s “Batman”. Barrett had a fantastic month of March where he averaged over 20 points per game, and he’ll need to be playing at the level if The NY Knicks are to steal a playoff series.

Barrett is still prone to having games where he disappears and it’s a little more than just an “Off night”.  In a few recent games, Barrett has just 7 points on 2-11 shooting against The Lakers and 6 points on 2-10 shooting against The Pelicans. That can’t happen in the playoffs. Do I believe Barrett can bring that consistency that the team needs for the playoffs? Absolutely, he seems to always bounce back from a tough game – The kid just dropped 24 on the Mavericks.

Barrett needs to be more than a complementary piece of the team in the playoffs. You know teams will be throwing the kitchen sink at Julius Randle to slow him down – They’re going to make other players beat them. That’s where Barrett must be able to take on some of the scoring load himself.

RJ Barrett can continue to grow as a star player if he brings his A-Game in the playoffs. If Barrett, Burks, and Quickley are all at the top of their games, The Knicks could do some damage in the postseason.