New York Knicks rookie RJ Barrett made a surprising revelation after practice on Wednesday, telling reporters he's actually right-handed.
The Duke product, who buried a series of lefty jump shots in his lone collegiate year to later be selected as the third overall pick, noted he actually has a better shot and a better form with his right hand, but is more comfortable shooting with his left, according to Laura Albanese of Newsday.
This makes for a puzzling revelation, one that puts him in a similar realm with Ben Simmons, who's known for finishing around the basket with his right hand, but shooting jump shots with his left. Many have wondered if Simmons is indeed naturally right-handed, but that still remains a mystery.
In this case, the Knicks rookie is openly admitting he's a right-handed player that does better shooting righty than lefty — yet saying he'll stick with shooting left because it's more comfortable is as head-scratching as Jason Kidd saying “we'll turn this team 360 degrees.”
Barrett is shooting 39.1% from the floor and 31.1% from deep — struggles that can be common for a rookie — yet the real questions start with his free-throw shooting at a measly 60.1%. He shot 66.5% in his lone year at Duke, but even that percentage is worrisome for a two-guard at this level.
His efficiency can come around, but if he's struggling to make two out of three free throws, it might be a sign that something isn't right with his shot.
Barrett ought to give his right hand a try in the offseason, even if it is to experiment, as his struggles shooting the ball don't bode well for someone whose position is conditioned to take jumpers in a constant basis.
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