New York Knicks: RJ Barrett can cement himself as an NBA rising star

New York Knicks: RJ Barrett sustaining success

If you’ve followed his career to this point, it’s really easy to believe in RJ Barrett.

You are put under a microscope playing for the New York Knicks more than you are any other NBA franchise. Maybe the Los Angeles Lakers, but the expectations, the “riff-raff” in the media and among the fans, it’s all unbelievably enormous, with every little misstep always blown out of proportion.

RJ Barrett’s demeanor is perfect for the city. He’s calm. He’s confident. He takes accountability. He wants to build and win in New York. He has embraced the challenge.

If you pair that mentality with his dedication to improving, I’m not sure how you see him failing.

He is still at least half a decade away from beginning his athletic prime as a basketball player.

Talk about those players mentioned before, we only saw DeRozan’s assist totals take a leap to over 5 per game in his ninth NBA season. Butler’s assist totals only got close to 5 per game in his 5th year, and his playmaking took another leap in his first season with Miami.

The New York Knicks are struggling, but Barrett’s progression is huge for their long-term outlook.

Even with how the team has been struggling, it seems like RJ Barrett’s role is cemented. I’d expect him to keep this up and finish the year with 21 points per game average.

It’s just the beginning of a long career.

Do you believe in RJ Barrett’s potential?