https://nypost.com/2019/10/25/clyde-fraziers-case-for-why-the-knicks-arent-doomed/

Frazier was impressed by the post play Barrett exhibited in the preseason, one that ended with Williamson needing surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

“To me, I liked how this worked out,” Frazier said. “Barrett is the better basketball player. Zion is a freak and those tendencies are catching up with him in injuries. Maybe he can’t play at 6-6, 280 pounds. Maybe he has to lose some weight with the pressure on his knees.
“I think the Knicks are in good position. … I like when he gets into the paint it’s not with a lot of quickness. it reminds me of myself. When I got to the paint, because of my size, I could overpower guys, especially backcourt guys and that’s what he’s doing.”

martin wrote:I am not old enough to have watched Walt play and I know RJ isn't a pure PG like Frazier, but the body type and deliberate play (in terms of dominating with size/strength and not being highly explosive) seems to ring true.

https://nypost.com/2019/10/25/clyde-fraziers-case-for-why-the-knicks-arent-doomed/

Frazier was impressed by the post play Barrett exhibited in the preseason, one that ended with Williamson needing surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

“To me, I liked how this worked out,” Frazier said. “Barrett is the better basketball player. Zion is a freak and those tendencies are catching up with him in injuries. Maybe he can’t play at 6-6, 280 pounds. Maybe he has to lose some weight with the pressure on his knees.
“I think the Knicks are in good position. … I like when he gets into the paint it’s not with a lot of quickness. it reminds me of myself. When I got to the paint, because of my size, I could overpower guys, especially backcourt guys and that’s what he’s doing.”

i'd love to see this comparison play out more. walt was unique. he just always had control out there. controlled his man, the ball, his team's offense. indeed always found the open man. took it to the hole when needed and always got there. his essence was calmly, gradually bend the game to his will. couldn't rattle him. he was going to use each possession the way he wanted. each 24 seconds. ultimately the whole 48 minutes.

who would i compare him to that i've ever seen play? believe it or not magic johnson. of course there were a lot of differences in their games but think of magic's control, smarts, physical and mental control of what happened on the floor. that same element of imposing his will on the game in a team-first manner.

does rj belong in this conversation? sure why not. i love his presence on the floor. he has a calm and focus and awareness and fearlessness about him. he seems very open to learning and improving, and a physical confidence to get where he wants to and do what he wants to out there. that combined with good judgment is called impacting and controlling the game the way you want to.

so let's roll with this. like to hear some other old farts chime in.

Knixkik wrote:

fishmike wrote:haha... its REALLY early but the guy RJ reminds me of is Paul Pierce. I think their size and athleticism are very similar. Pierce was a good playmaker and passer but dont think anyone would confuse him with a PG. Both look great at drawing contact and not just when attacking the basket. Fingers crossed because a Pierce caliber player is a championship piece... we just need two more

I think Pierce seems like a solid comp. All i know is the Knicks' future is entirely dependent on Barrett becoming a franchise player, and the front office should be building this team now to maximize his talent. The best teams players to build around are big, playmaking/scoring wings, and Barrett fits the bill if developed correctly.

not buying this one. Pierce could shoot much better.

I was very impressed with RJ's game 1!! Right now he's in his own category in my book. If there is a comp with Pierce I think it's their competitiveness. RJ had a look in his eye late in the game. You can tell he does not take losing easily. I really liked that!

As an aside, I recall Pierce's draft. Back then top players went to combines. Vince Carter was a freak -- and one of the casualties of that was Pierce. His athleticism was tarnished because he was being compared to Vince. (Back in that time period Vince was insanely athletic) SO he ended up sliding to the Celtics even though at one point he was considered a top 4 player

SupremeCommander wrote:

Marv wrote:the phone just rang in the old age home and of course i couldn't get to it in time. i'm assuming it was for me?

i'd love to see this comparison play out more. walt was unique. he just always had control out there. controlled his man, the ball, his team's offense. indeed always found the open man. took it to the hole when needed and always got there. his essence was calmly, gradually bend the game to his will. couldn't rattle him. he was going to use each possession the way he wanted. each 24 seconds. ultimately the whole 48 minutes.

who would i compare him to that i've ever seen play? believe it or not magic johnson. of course there were a lot of differences in their games but think of magic's control, smarts, physical and mental control of what happened on the floor. that same element of imposing his will on the game in a team-first manner.

does rj belong in this conversation? sure why not. i love his presence on the floor. he has a calm and focus and awareness and fearlessness about him. he seems very open to learning and improving, and a physical confidence to get where he wants to and do what he wants to out there. that combined with good judgment is called impacting and controlling the game the way you want to.

so let's roll with this. like to hear some other old farts chime in.

Sheesh, why don't we compare him to Rick Barry, Elgin Baylor, Bob Cousy, George Gervin, and John Havlicheck while we're at it. Please pass the sarsaparilla

Chandler wrote:way too early but i'll say a larger, left-handed Wade

Not super athletic, bigger 2 guard whose primary attribute is effectiveness

and let's not under estimate the left hand. Opponents will predominantly play and practice against righties.

The multidimensional Pippen ran the court like a point guard, attacked the boards like a power forward, and swished the nets like a shooting guard.

Barrett - needs to add that third part to his game.

In Barret and Mitch Robinson we have two-fifths of a really good starting 5.
We desperately need an upgrade at coach, because we haven't had an NBA caliber coach since Mike D'Antoni.

meloshouldgo wrote:Only posting because no one compared Barrett to Pippen? To me it's the most obvious comp because Pippen would use his body and his brains the same way to pick his spots. Barrett can't shoot like Pippen but that's still something he can add.

The multidimensional Pippen ran the court like a point guard, attacked the boards like a power forward, and swished the nets like a shooting guard.

Barrett - needs to add that third part to his game.

In Barret and Mitch Robinson we have two-fifths of a really good starting 5.
We desperately need an upgrade at coach, because we haven't had an NBA caliber coach since Mike D'Antoni.

pippin couldn't shoot a lick early in his career and later in his career only when wide open

he was very effective with the ball and all around, especially on D

not buying the pippen comp