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Grading key Knicks players after start to 2022-23 season

By Desmond Novack

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 16: Julius Randle #30 and Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks react in the second half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on November 16, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 16: Julius Randle #30 and Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks react in the second half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on November 16, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Julius Randle, RJ Barrett
RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, New York Knicks. (Photo by Wendell Cruz/USA TODAY Sports) /

RJ Barrett: C

Despite some very solid performances, including his most recent game against the Thunder on Monday, RJ Barrett has had a very disappointing start to the season. While it is becoming more and more obvious that the slump Barrett went through was due to his illness, he simply should not have played.

In addition to this, Barrett was painfully forcing his offense at times during this stretch, and it hurt the team. Now that Barrett is healthy again, we will hopefully see more of what we saw on Monday, but if he continues to play poorly, the Knicks may have to consider making a move.

Through 18 games, Barrett is averaging 18.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 40.2% from the field and 27.3% from three on 5.5 attempts per game. A big reason for this very disappointing stat line was Barrett’s sick slump, but even before that, he had some very disappointing performances.

I love Barrett as much as the next fan, but it is time to start holding him accountable for his poor play. It is year four and Barrett signed a four-year, $120 million contract. While he’s only 22 and has plenty of time to improve, he has not met the expectations he had coming out of Duke in 2019.

Yes, the situation surrounding Barrett has been far from perfect, but the big-time players learn to adapt and overcome. I’m not saying that Barrett hasn’t done this to a certain extent, but there is no doubt that he needs to be better.

Hopefully, we see an explosion out of Barrett in the coming games now that he is healthy again, but for now, he has absolutely disappointed this season and must improve soon.

Julius Randle: B

Outside of a rough five-game stretch earlier in the season, Julius Randle has been playing some of the best offensive basketball of his career. However, the fact that he is a complete liability on defense, combined with his at times very poor shot selection and leadership makes it hard to grade him much higher than a B.

This season, Randle is averaging 20.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game while shooting 46.7% from the field and 33.3% from three on 6.0 attempts per game.

It is very clear that taking the ball out of Randle’s hands more often has done some pretty great things for the offense. However, I can only imagine how much better he could be if he didn’t shoot so many threes.

Randle may not be a necessarily “bad” three-point shooter, but his shot selection in terms of when and where he shoots his threes has hurt his efficiency. However, considering what we had from Randle last season, we’ll take what we can get.

In Randle’s last 10 games, he averaged 23.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, shooting an impressive 49.4% from the field and 39.2% from three on 7.4 attempts. This is some very impressive offense even with his occasional poor shot selection and tunnel vision.

What is really hindering Randle’s impact this season has no doubt been his defense. Randle was never a great, or maybe even good defender, but this season he has undoubtedly been one of the worst defensive players in the league.

Regardless, this version of Randle is undoubtedly better than what we had last season. I’d much rather have some very good offense with no defense as opposed to no offense and no defense. Hopefully, as the season goes on Randle can continue his good offensive play in addition to working on his defensive struggles.

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