NY Knicks: The Top 3 Options to be The Defensive Stopper
Will RJ Barrett be the NY Knicks’ best perimeter defender this year?
At this point, it feels like every time I write, it turns into me raving about RJ Barrett.
As much as I would love to write about other Knicks, he is the clear choice to be the team’s stopper.
When the Knicks chose Fournier’s offense over Bullock’s defense, it became clear that Thibs had defensive-minded plans for Barrett.
Though I have said that Barrett should continue being the team’s second offensive option, there is no way around anyone else being the guy to guard the best offensive guard or forward.
Barrett is an incredibly strong person.
Last year we watched Barrett, a 20-year-old out-muscle professional basketball players who were in their 30’s.
In the second preseason game against the Washington Wizards, Barrett played incredible defense on Bradley Beal, one of the top scorers in the NBA.
Barrett used his strength to throw Beal out of rhythm and forced Beal into not having a great performance.
In the second preseason game against the Washington Wizards, Barrett played incredible defense on Bradley Beal, one of the top scorers in the NBA.
Barrett used his strength to throw Beal out of rhythm and forced Beal into not having a great performance.
As mentioned in our preseason game two recap, Barrett guarded the best wing on the opposing team. He already seems to be steamrolling into this position for New York.
Barrett’s size and aggression, mixed with his high basketball IQ, give him all the tools he needs to become the stopper on one of the best defenses in the NBA, giving the young forward more recognition.
Do not be surprised if we start to see Thibodeau put Barrett in a similar role he put young Jimmy Butler in when Butler was an up-and-coming young player.