As he prepares for his fifth NBA season, RJ Barrett gets a chance to prove he has what it takes to live up to the expectations that were placed upon him as a rookie. What many tend to forget is that the former first choice is still only 23 years old. With the experiences he already has and the confidence his organization instilled in him with a four-year, $107 million extension last summer, Barrett could very well be poised for his best season yet.
One of the keys to Barrett finding success with the Knicks has been his ability to run in transition, especially when Brunson or Randle are off the field. He is athletic and runs the field like any other swingman in the league, which is why this is where Barrett did the most damage on the offensive end of the court.
Becoming a more refined playmaker and showing more confidence with the ball in his hands will help him become the star many believe he still can be. This is why Barrett has taken advantage of the off-season, representing Canada in the FIBA World Cup which kicks off later this month.
Barrett has so far been a standout for Team Canada in their “setup games” and recently recorded 31 points to lead his team to an overtime victory over Germany in the DBB SuperCup tournament. Canada had to come from behind to win this game, and the Knicks youngster recorded 11 of his team’s last 17 points to propel them to a win. Perhaps the most impressive part of that performance for Barrett was his confidence, as he shot 13-of-14 from the floor and 4-of-4 from three-point range, with one of his made shots tying the game at the end of regulation.