RJ Barrett is already leading the New York Knicks in minutes played, which has led to several criticisms of David Fizdale's coaching style. However, the coach has hit back to the critics and noted that the rookie is just 19 years old and can handle the heavy minutes.

At the same time, Fizdale slammed other team's practice of sitting out their star players due to load management.

“We got to get off this load-management crap,’’ Fizdale said, per Marc Berman of the New York Post. “Latrell Sprewell averaged 42 minutes for a season. This kid is 19. Drop it already.’’

So far, the third overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft is averaging 36 minutes per game. In their blowout loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, he was inserted back into the game with six minutes left.

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This move by Fizdale raised the eyebrows of some critics. After all, it's not customary practice that a coach inserts one of its key players to play some garbage time. Barrett ended up playing 41 minutes against Sacramento — his second 40-minute game for the season.

The Duke standout, for his part, echoed his coach's thoughts. He also hinted that he and Fizdale have an open line of communication. If he feels that he's playing too much, he'll then inform Fizdale about it.

“What do you think?,’’ Barrett said when asked if the minutes are too much for him. “I’m 19. I’m good. If I felt it wasn’t, I’d tell him.’’

Fizdale surely knows what he's doing with his players. And not just that, but his players, too, are aware that his decisions are grounded on legitimate reasons.