3 reasons why Knicks’ RJ Barrett will be an All-Star in 2022-23
1. Jalen Brunson’s point guard play should help RJ Barrett’s game
Basketball is a team sport. So, when you bring in a marquee free agent, you do so expecting he’ll help the team win games and make a positive impact on the rest of the players.
When that guy happens to be a point guard, it should mean a more fluid offense and easier buckets for everyone involved.
Brunson was brought to the Knicks for all of those reasons and more, and it should have a direct impact on RJ Barrett.
Sure, they might need some time to get used to each other, but the thought of pairing Barrett with a point guard like Brunson leads me to believe it could help springboard Barrett into a more complete player.
For one, it takes the ball out of Barrett’s hands and allows him to free up without the ball, where he can excel as a slasher.
Brunson also provides scoring, which in turn draws defenses to him more than other point guards who lack an offensive game. That means kickouts for three-pointers – a part of Barrett’s game that still needs more consistency. That’s a great way to start getting him more open buckets and confidence to knock down those shots.
If RJ Barrett can play well alongside Brunson, it should make him a better basketball player in the end. And heading into year four, that could end up in an All-Star Game appearance.
