Toronto Raptors: 4 takes on Chris Boucher and Canadians in the NBA

No. 2: RJ Barrett is as good a 20-year-old as the Knicks have had in years

We never gave up, friends. Even last year when he was shooting sub-40% from the field and below 30% from three, we never gave up.

Barrett has been quietly having a truly special sophomore season in the NBA. He’s been the second most impactful player on the Knicks behind Julius Randle, scoring close to 18 points a game, nabbing six rebounds, and dishing out 3.1 assists.

The assist number won’t wow you, but if you watch Barrett live you’ll understand the court vision he has.  The lob timing he has with Nerlens Noel and Mitchell Robinson on the short roll is special, and because he’s now got a few reliable shooters to kick out to, no doubt his playmaking numbers will only rise.

RJ Barrett has been killing it

And the scary truth is Barrett’s only scratching the surface. None of his stats are empty, the Knicks aren’t playing through him or forcing scoring opportunities his way.

All of his points and assists are in the flow of the game.  One would imagine that as a ball-handling wing and the second banana on the team Barrett’s usage rate would be above 25%. Think again. Barrett ranks 75th in the league is USG% at 23.6.  That’s lower than guys like Eric Gordon, Dillon Brooks, and Josh Jackson.

Still, the best part about Barrett this season has been the improved shooting stroke. While not a deadeye shooter by any means, Barrett’s been around 45% overall and 35% this season from the field and three.

This opening of the floor unlocks all the things Canadians love about Barrett. The patient, perky-jerky style he has.  Slashing to the rim, stopping, starting, using angles, bullying smaller guards, he’s been doing that stuff since he was playing for Mississauga’s St. Marcellinus Secondary School.