New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett has seen his workload decrease over the last six games but is showing encouraging signs of improvement with his efficiency, especially in their last couple of contests.
Despite playing considerably fewer minutes over this stretch for the Knicks, Barrett doesn't seem to be sulking over this development and is willing to do whatever is asked of him to help the team win.
Via Peter Botte of The New York Post:
Starting guard RJ Barrett has averaged just 25.5 minutes per game over his past six appearances after being among the league leaders in playing time (35.8 mpg) over his first 24. But after shooting just 26.8 percent from the floor in the first four of those games, he has connected on 13 of 25 attempts (52 percent) in the last two.
“I’m just out there playing my game. I’m out there as much as Coach wants me or needs me to be out there. I’m playing,” Barrett said. “When I’m on the bench, I’m being a good teammate, doing anything to help the team.”
That's the kind of mentality the Knicks want to see from their young stud. New York is banking on RJ Barrett to eventually become one of the franchise's cornerstones. While he has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his young career so far, there is still a lot of room to grow for the Canadian wing.
This could be a smart strategy for Barrett's long-term growth. Maybe the heavy workload has been one of the major factors for his inefficiency. Perhaps the Knicks giving him a lighter load could lead to more efficient play as he learns to pick his spots in his more limited time on the floor.
Follow Us
Subscribe