It's been a topsy-turvy time for New York Knicks rookie and 2019 third overall pick RJ Barrett at the NBA's annual Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Canadian-born Duke University product had trouble asserting himself in the Knicks' first two Summer League games. In the third game, however, he displayed wonderful passing and strong rebounding for his position while attacking the basket frequently instead of settling for ill-taken jump shots.
Barrett, 19, told media in Vegas on Friday that he's working on “everything” right now along with his finishing ability, which he singled out as his biggest strength in the past but something that needs to be worked on in the present.
RJ Barrett on what he’s working on this summer – “People ask me, ‘What are you working on?’ And I would say ‘everything’ because now my biggest strength is one of my weaknesses. I’m just working on everything.”#Knicks pic.twitter.com/vjXBLXHFpC
— Knicks Nation (@KnicksNationCP) July 12, 2019
Barrett, a 6-foot-7 wing, played one collegiate season in the ACC with the Duke Blue Devils alongside Zion Williamson, the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Barrett led Duke in scoring (tied with Williamson), but he'll have to adjust his game slightly at the next level to be a productive member of the ‘Bockers.
Williamson and Barrett faced off in Summer League last week as the Pelicans and Knicks clashed in a game that was suspended due to the effects of a California earthquake reaching the Nevada city. Barrett looked off his game, shooting inefficiently and possessing tunnel vision on the floor where it looked like he was bent on out-scoring his former teammate.
Since then, however, RJ appears to be focused on involving his teammates, grabbing loose boards and pushing the tempo so he can get downhill and finish at the rim or get fouled.
Regardless, it doesn't look like RJ Barrett is settling and instead wants to improve his imperfect game.
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