Daily Knicks
Fansided

Goals for each key Knicks player in the 2023 FIBA World Cup

By Zachary Bachar

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 08: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks congratulates teammate Jalen Brunson #11 during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on May 08, 2023 in Miami, Florida. The Heat won the game 109-101. 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 Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 08: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks congratulates teammate Jalen Brunson #11 during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on May 08, 2023 in Miami, Florida. The Heat won the game 109-101. 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 Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
RJ Barrett of the New York Knicks jogs down the court during the first quarter of the game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023, in New York City.  (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
RJ Barrett of the New York Knicks jogs down the court during the first quarter of the game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023, in New York City.  (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /

RJ Barrett

Canada is bringing one of the most competitive international rosters to the FIBA World Cup, with 10 players who are currently in the NBA. This includes star guards such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray, as well as defensive pests Dillon Brooks and Luguentz Dort.

Barrett will likely be the starting small forward for this group, especially after Canadian wing Andrew Wiggins declined to commit to the team.

His goals should be focused on defense as well as becoming a more willing passer. Unlike Hart, Barrett’s role as a slashing third option is going to be somewhat similar to his current role with the Knicks. He can use that opportunity to iron out the areas of his game that could use some fine-tuning.

On the offensive end, Barrett should focus on improving his playmaking ability, especially on drives. One of his most valuable qualities is his ability to consistently get to the rim, often forcing defenses to shrink the floor in order to collapse the paint.

Barrett had his best season finishing at the rim last season and he can further raise that efficiency by incorporating more of a playmaking mindset into his paint attacks. He passed on only 28.1% of his drives in the regular season, the worst mark on the Knicks.

He often made up his mind about dishing vs. finishing before he would put the ball on the floor, resulting in blocked shots and turnovers as defenses would become aware of his tendencies over time.

His pass percentage on drives increased to 35.7% in the playoffs, showing that both he and the coaching staff understood the need to further diversify the outcome of his slashes to the rim.

The 23-year-old has never been an elite defender just yet, but last season might have been his worst year on the less glamorous end of the court.

According to Basketball Reference, Barrett’s defensive box plus/minus was the worst among all Knicks rotation players. He recorded 1.0 steals and 0.3 blocks per game as a teenage rookie but has yet to surpass either of those marks in any season since.

At 6’6″ with a 6’10” wingspan, he has the tools to be an above-average defender. He’s just never been able to put it all together for an extended period of time.

With Gilgeous-Alexander and Murray handling the bulk of the scoring responsibility, Barrett using the opportunity to enhance his defense and playmaking abilities would be beneficial for both him and the Knicks as a whole next season.

Home/Knicks News