3 Positives for New York Knicks fans to look forward to

New York Knicks: RJ Barrett is a future All-Star

You really thought I’d write an article and not mention that RJ Barrett is in the best stretch of his career?

Barrett has been on a warpath.  Barrett has looked like half of an all-star duo this February, as he and Julius Randle have been monstrous.

RJ has steadily improved his game every year he’s been in the NBA.  Though his basic stats have not taken a large jump, his defense has become top-notch.  He is the Knicks’ best on-ball defender and really one of the few good defenders New York has.

As mentioned in a recent DailyKnicks article, Barrett’s has put up all-star numbers since 2022. He’s started driving to the paint much more as the Knicks finally have ideal court spacing for him, which has completely opened up his game.

Barrett has always been a player who’s best on offense when attacking the rim. Once he starts going downhill, he’s an absolute force and will run right through defenders.

Since entering the league, RJ has played like a 10-year veteran and is now playing like he’s been a star in the NBA for a while, even though he’s only 21 years old.

It’s taken many players a few years to become an all-star, and RJ is showing that if he becomes the face of the offense next year, something I said last month he should already be, I truly think he’ll be an all-star by next season.

The last time the Knicks had an all-star on a rookie contract was Kristaps Porzngis, who had already played his final game as a Knick by the time he was named an All-Star.

Barrett has always had superstar potential. I’m not saying he’ll become some top-five player in the NBA, maybe he will, but he looks like he’s on the cusp of being an all-star level player. I would not be shocked to see RJ playing in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City.

This year has not been kind to us Knicks fans, but at least we can watch as RJ Barrett tries to keep our excitement up because who doesn’t love watching the most promising young player the Knicks have had in like 30 years.