Many were expecting New York Knicks’ 3rd-year player RJ Barrett to take a potential All-Star leap this season after his breakout sophomore campaign that included a top-20 finish in Most Improved Player voting. After a few contests, he looked like he was taking that leap.
Through the first nine games, Barrett was averaging 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game on magnificent 47-40-74 shooting splits. He was flashing new pull-up shooting skills and scoring in a variety of ways, leading to some monster nights such as his career-high 35 points in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
However, his play has fallen off a cliff as of late. In the eight games since then, Barrett is averaging just 10.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game on ghastly 28-18-70 shooting splits.
It’s no surprise that the Knicks went 6-3 over their first nine games and 3-5 over their next eight. The success of the team is heavily tied to the success of their number two offensive scoring option.
Barrett has had similar rough patches before and he continues to break out of them, so it isn’t time to panic just yet. With that being said, it’s no secret that he has to play better in order for New York to get back to their winning ways.
Here are three major ways for Barrett to break out of his offensive nosedive and start looking like a future star once again.