5 Christmas gifts Knicks fans should have on their list to Santa
![NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: New York Knicks fans cheer before Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks on May 23, 2021 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 Seth Wenig - Pool/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: New York Knicks fans cheer before Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks on May 23, 2021 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 Seth Wenig - Pool/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/f9ca667e66666962f4fe7dcbae11f6f3dbeeae90ddbe3903ffe242012c98366c.jpg)
Gift #2: RJ Barrett finds his consistency
RJ Barrett finding a way to consistently play like he is right now is one of my biggest Knicksmas wishes this year. Barrett played poorly to begin all four of his NBA seasons before finding a groove and playing at an All-Star level in the second half of last year.
I said that RJ Barrett deserved his extension when he received it, and for a while, he was doing his best to prove me wrong. But once again, in mid-December, it appears RJ’s fall slump has come to a close.
This is something that cannot continue, though. It happens every season, which makes me think that RJ either has a mental block coming into the season or his routine is off. It’s not going to go over well with the fans if RJ is getting paid nearly $30 million per year, and he continually starts the season with two awful months of basketball where he looks lost.
When Barrett is good, he’s really, really good — like he looks like he could become a second option on a championship team. He has to stop this for everyone’s own good, especially if he wants to make an All-Star team.
Barrett is 22 years old, and there’s a chance this is still something he’s just yet to outgrow, but he officially starts his second contract next year, and the fall slump is something he will need to leave to the past.