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Where does Knicks’ RJ Barrett rank among NBA stars 22 and under?

By Max Hoover

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 07: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks in action during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 07, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 07: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks in action during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 07, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, RJ Barrett
RJ Barrett, New York Knicks. (Photo by: Rich Graessle/Getty Images) /

So that brings us back to our initial question: Where does Barrett rank among the top players 22 or younger? Like everything in this article thus far, the answer is probably somewhat subjective.

The optimist would say that Barrett is near the top of this list and only climbing higher. The optimist would say that it won’t be long until he takes his rightful place in Tier 1 amongst his actual peers–the elite young talent in basketball.

The pessimist would say that the advanced data point scares them. He was dead last among the 12 names on this list. The pessimist would say to go look at what Doncic did in his third NBA season at 21-years-old and tell the optimist to relax with calling Barrett a star. The pessimist would point to the Knicks record in Barrett’s stretch of good scoring games.

The realist would say that what New York has in Barrett is a talented young man who could potentially be a top-20 player in the league once some of the older guys retire. The realist would say that Barrett is a solid piece to build the future around.

The crazy thing is…all three of them might be right?

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