New York Knicks: RJ Barrett needs to be aggressive during the season

The New York Knicks begin the 2019-2020 regular season this week and are ready to unleash rookie RJ Barrett

RJ Barrett is no stranger to the big stage and national attention after an amazing high school career and one season at Duke University. The 19-year-old rookie was drafted third overall by his favorite childhood team in the New York Knicks beginning a career in the top media market in the world is another level pressure.

Barrett has had a solid preseason campaign playing big minutes already for head coach David Fizdale. The most recent game Friday night against a missing Zion Williamson New Orleans Pelicans team. Barrett finished the game 9/12 from the field with 19 points, but that wasn’t the glaring issue in the performance.

Barrett scores 17 points in the first half and barely attempted a shot in the third and fourth quarters. The lack of aggression was apparent as he chose to set up teammates for the remainder of the game. The Pelicans would go on to win the game, and it probably wouldn’t be the case if Barrett kept his same aggression throughout.

The Canada native spoke about his progression in the league so far during an interview with the NY Post.

"“I feel like the Knicks drafted me because they knew what I could do,’’ Barrett said of his driving prowess. “That’s my game. I could do that at any level. I’m going to continue to do that and make reads as much as I can."

"“I feel like I’ve played well over the course of the preseason,’’ Barrett said. “It was great for me, get up and down in an NBA game, NBA setting, to be more prepared for the regular season.”"

Barrett will be matched up with some of the top wing players in the league. He will need to find a way to remain aggressive throughout the season and keep the pressure on his opponents. Julius Randle is the more seasoned player in the lineup, but Barrett must continue to take his shot when it’s available.