3 ways RJ Barrett succeeded in arduous battle to become face of Knicks
By Adam Kester
RJ Barrett’s determination
There’s a certain quality that you need to have to be a star athlete in New York City. A certain charisma, je ne sais quoi.
It can have different appearances on different people, but many New Yorkers will point to athletes such as Derek Jeter, Eli Manning, Henrik Lundqvist, and others of the past as athletes who embodied what it takes to be the face of a New York franchise.
It’s a blend of being obsessed with your craft, quiet off the field, and truly being a leader by example. Barrett embodies a lot of those special qualities.
The only things you ever really hear about him are how hard he works on his game and how much he loves being with the Knicks.
For a franchise that has not only been synonymous with losing but has failed to maintain any homegrown talent over an extended period of time, Barrett’s the best chance the team’s had in a while.
That same dedication and love for the game are why it’s so easy to see Barrett as a player who will continue to ascend. This is a player who has completely flipped the script on certain aspects of his game that were once considered flaws.
Imagine if you put Barrett’s 2022 numbers over a full season? Just under 24 points per game? At 21-years-old?
This season may be a disappointment, but in the long term, fans may look at the leap of Barrett being far more important than making the play-in tournament.
