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3 reasons why RJ Barrett will live up to his contract extension with Knicks

By Chris Gallagher

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 18: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the second half of the game against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on March 18, 2022 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 18: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the second half of the game against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on March 18, 2022 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, RJ Barrett
RJ Barrett, New York Knicks. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

2. Barrett has the potential to be an All-Star as soon as this season

RJ Barrett has been the Knick with the highest potential since essentially the first second he was drafted. He became New York’s franchise player when the team landed the third pick in the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery, and he has shown perennial All-Star potential.

Jimmy Butler said that nobody should have been surprised when Barrett exploded for 46 points in what would have been a near 60-point game performance if Barrett sank more free throws and if Thibodeau would’ve ran plays for him. Butler finished his praise by saying that Barrett is going to be the face of the Knicks.

I would say Butler sees a lot of Barrett in himself. Butler has praised Barrett multiple times, and at one point during a Knicks-Heat game, Butler started coaching RJ on drawing fouls.

Barrett has clear-cut superstar potential. It has been visible since he was quietly putting up one of the better one-and-done seasons in college basketball history, but he has constantly been left in the shadows of others, such as Zion Williamson.

This is the first chance that we will get to see Barrett show off what he’s got in his bag of tricks, while also having to constantly adjust as he will become the focus of opposing team’s game plans.

Thibodeau is not a good offensive coach and he is hesitant to change things up. That clearly hurt Julius Randle as he became the subject of many double teams that Thibs did not help him with. RJ is going to need to show an ability to adjust through this, as that is what the best players in the NBA do.

Barrett has a wide range of talents and has always stepped up in the biggest moments. He seems like the type to take the challenge of being game-planned against and fight through it to find ways to beat the defense. Barrett is no stranger to being heavily scouted, going from being a Duke Blue Devil superstar to the Knicks’ franchise player.

RJ Barrett can handle the moments, and those moments make All-Stars.

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