New York Knicks: A realistic look at the 2019-20 starting lineup
Shooting Guard: R.J. Barrett
Congratulations Knicks fans, you just received the best player in the 2019 NBA Draft! It’s a bold claim, I know, but why can’t fans show R.J. Barrett the appreciation he deserves. When the Knicks drew the third pick in the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery, their fans were going nuts on social media.
I get it, Zion Williamson is the high-flying, athletic, sexy pick in this year’s draft and there haven’t been too many players quite like him to come out of college. Again though, when it comes to the safer pick, Barrett has so many fewer question marks around him than his former Duke teammate.
As a proven scorer, Barrett was basically known as the second option when Williamson was healthy and to simply put it, he still got his on a nightly basis. Averaging 22.6 Points, Barrett was just as effective of a scoring option as Williamson if not more well-rounded.
The biggest concern about Barret that may come into play is his ability to knock down three-pointers and free throws at an effective rate. To that, I direct doubters towards a player like Ben Simmons of Philadelphia.
The two are incredibly similar talents in that they’re both athletic with a tall, strong frame and thrive on pushing out on the break. If Simmons can make it work with his style of play, so can Barrett.
The only difference, however, is that Barrett is actually willing and able to knock down perimeter shots and it will only get better over time. Shooting the rock at just over 30 percent. RJB has proven that he will let loose and run and gun. Obviously, it’s not a great percentage, but it’s a building block for the 6-7 forward to work on, once he gets in the league.
In terms of all-around talent, it doesn’t get much better than Barrett. In an era of completely positionless basketball, I would argue that he’ll mix into any team just fine and his excellent court vision combined with an ability to push the tempo will fit well into today’s style of play.
He’s going to be a star as soon as he touches NBA hardwood and unlike Williamson, the amount of pressure is astronomically less going into next season. Get excited New York Knicks fans, because you just found your franchise cornerstone for years to come.