NY Knicks: Can RJ Barrett become the 1st scoring option?

RJ Barrett has been the best player on the NY Knicks these past few games. He’s looked like a first scoring option, and I would love to know if this is a preview for the future.

Barrett is only 21 years old but has been playing like he’s been in the league for around a decade.  He is currently averaging 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting over 50% from the field, he looks like a future first scoring option.

Can RJ Barrett become the NY Knicks 1st scoring option?

Barrett continues to improve scoring efficiency, including becoming a dangerous scorer at the rim after struggling to do so in his first two seasons.

The Knicks wing has also shown an ability to take over games, as he showed when sinking six threes against the New Orleans Pelicans on his way to a career-high 35 points.

Without Barrett’s heroics, the NY Knicks would have lost to a Pelicans team that they had no business losing to, with their best player in Zion Williamson sidelined with his ten millionth injury in three years.

I mentioned a few months back that one of Barrett’s goals for this season should be to hit 20 points per game, which he is coming dangerously close to doing.

In Barrett’s last 5 games he has averaged 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on 52% shooting from the field and 50% from three.

It is difficult to keep these numbers up, especially the 50% shooting from three, however it shows Barrett is getting closer and closer to putting up franchise-player level numbers.

Those stats are all-star numbers, and obviously, it’s only five games, however, one of the reasons for this is his confidence.  Barrett has played with a high level of confidence since his 35 point performance against the Pelicans.

Part of being the first scoring option is having the confidence and mentality that when your team needs a basket, you have to be the one to get that basket and that you will get that basket.

Barrett has shown no hesitation to shoot from any area on the court, including a willingness to create for himself.

After being knocked for a lack of ability to shoot off the dribble, Barrett has put those arguments to bed.  According to FiveThirtyEight, RJ has an effective field goal percentage of 57% when taking shots after at least three dribbles.

Barrett has become a three-level scorer before our eyes as he continues to shoot more and more as the games go by.

Maybe I’m biased, but it only feels like a matter of time before Barrett is both the team’s best defensive stopper and best scorer.  At that point, would it be time to question if he is also overtaking Julius Randle as the team’s best player?