No NBA Rookie Is On The Level Of R.J. Barrett
R.J. Barrett is going to be the NBA’s Rookie of the Year. He’ll win the award over Zion Williamson and Ja Morant. It’s hard to envision anyone getting the hardware over Barrett, especially given the faith the New York Knicks franchise has in him.
As the 3rd pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, expectations for Barrett are extremely high. And they should be. His lone college year at Duke was one for the ages. The 6’7 wing averaged 22.6 points, solidifying himself as one of the best scorers in the nation during his freshman year. That same scoring prowess will be brought to New York.
The Knicks, who need a superstar to jumpstart the franchise, have someone to build their franchise around in Barrett. The tools are all there for him to be a force in today’s NBA. And while he’s a prolific scorer, theres talk of the Knicks using him on the court in many different ways. One of those being at PG.
One thing the Knicks lack is a true PG. They feature Dennis Smtih Jr., Elfrid Payton, and Frank Ntilikina on the roster. Of those three, Payton is the most consistent option. However, they all have their faults. By playing Barrett at the 1, the Knicks get a real upside play at the position. This is a move that could pay huge dividends.
While Barrett wouldn’t be the full-time PG, he’s more than capable of playing the role. His assist averages at Duke (4.3 per game) were quite impressive given his role on the team. Think of Barrett as a Bradley Beal hybrid guard. One that can dish out the ball and knock down the 3-point shot. That’s a good comp for what Barrett is capable of.
Scouts saw a lot of Beal in Barrett during his time at Duke. He’s a natural SG, but the Knicks coaching staff has plenty of options as to how to play him. The versatility will go a long way in proving his worth in the NBA. Not to mention, Barrett will probably gain a reputation as a solid defender.
For Barrett to win Rookie of the Year, he’ll need to beat out some other first-year players such as the aforementioned Williamson and Morant. The task won’t be easy by any stretch. His main rookie competition are the top options on their respective teams, with a chance to lead the league in certain categories. However, Barrett is capable of that himself.
Barrett will more than likely lead all first-year players in 3-point shots made and will challenge for the rookie scoring crown. He’s a natural scorer. Unlike Williamson who’s more of an inside paint presence and Morant, a pass-first guard, Barrett has a killer instinct when it comes to shooting the ball. Add into that some assists and Barrett might join the elusive rookie 20/5/5 club (20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists per game as a rookie.) Only 5 men have accomplished that feat, Micheal Jordan, Oscar Robertson, LeBron James, Tyreke Evans, and Luka Doncic.
R.J. Barrett is one of the Knicks primary weapons this season. There’s a strong possibilty that he wins ROY. Make sure to place your bets. This looks it’ll be Barrett’s award to lose.
Image Source: John Locher
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
