New York Knicks: RJ Barrett is the NBA’s most disrespected young star
The New York Knicks have a new face of the franchise in RJ Barrett.
After being drafted third overall by the New York Knicks in 2019, RJ Barrett had an uphill battle ahead of him, joining a dysfunctional New York franchise. At the time, the Knicks were coming off of the team’s worst record of all time at 17-65.
After constant ups and downs, RJ managed to put together a decent rookie season, averaging 14 points with below-average efficiency. Despite a solid season, RJ was snubbed from both all-rookie teams, with Terence Davis (who averaged seven points per game) getting the last wing spot over him.
It was clear that there was a negative stigma around Barrett ever since he took his first step on NBA hardwood.
During the 2020-21 season, the Knicks finally re-emerged as a threat in the East, finishing with a record of 41-31 during the 72-game season. “The Knicks are back,” people thought, as first-time all-star Julius Randle was credited alongside Tom Thibodeau. What people weren’t talking about was RJ’s phenomenal season, playing Robin to Randle’s Batman.
While the Knicks would eventually burn out in the first round of the playoffs, Barrett became a serious threat on both ends of the floor. Despite this, he would be left off of ESPN’s “Top 25 Under 25 List” with the likes of Lonzo Ball and Collin Sexton making the cut over him.
Despite massive strides in his sophomore season, Barrett was still not getting the attention he deserved from outside of the Knicks’ fanbase.
Barrett’s third season didn’t get off to such a good start. A lot of this can be blamed on the lack of cohesion in the Knicks’ starting lineup had. Barrett was struggling with his shot from deep and just didn’t look confident.
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At the turn of the new year, something clicked in Barrett as he has averaged 24 points, 6.0 rebounds, and three assists per game ever since. Barrett has been on a tear over these past 40 games and is emerging as the Knicks’ primary option. At this point, it’s safe to say that RJ Barrett is the face of the Knicks’ franchise and is a future star in this league.