joec32033 wrote:

fishmike wrote:

joec32033 wrote:

fishmike wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:https://stathead.com/tiny/2lwzr

If you take a closer look at advance stats and factor in that Kobe only played like 16 minutes a game his rookie season, then I'd say this a pipedream. While RJ has made incremental improvements over the course of his career, Kobe SKYROCKETED during his four year spurt. No need for straw man arguments. Why not make a more reasonable RJ comparison, like Caris LeVert? I'm rooting for RJ, but he projects a ceiling of being a solid wing if you look at it objectively. Nothing wrong with that, but definitely not an untouchable.
Caris LeVert comparison: https://stathead.com/tiny/flXGu

its retarded.. and they are nothing alike. Kobe's ascension was stardom. RJ looks like a good NBA bucket better and rotation guy. LeVert is more realistic but hopefully as healthy version.

RJ is 23 soon... the hope is just he can be better BB player. Smarter plays, less TOs and better shots. Basically just be a better player

Phucking Kobe.. this is him reading this post
https://imgur.com/a/gD1VYmc

So a far comparison is a 19-22 year old RJ to a 22-25 year old Lavert?

they are similar players in terms of stats and impact... more impact. Comparing RJ/Kobe is.... well it's Friday so I'll be nice.

RJ has been the same player for the last 3 years. Literally what's he better at since his sophomore/rookie season? (and I like him)

First off I agree he is nothing like Kobe.

Second question...his 3 point shooting is better. Defense is worse. I think he is more comfortable in the clutch and isn't a horrible passer. This season alone within the past month or so he has been dunking to finish, but his finishing around the basket needs major work.

Wiggins is 100% the guy if you wan to compare. Seemingly good stats, but isnt much of an impact player. God I hope I am wrong with RJ. He's young and works hard and plays hard. He's a good guy but I'm just calling it like I see it which is he's not showing the growth that says he's taking it to the next level. I mean Randle/Brunson have shown more improvements in their games this year than RJ has.

Vmart wrote:This is a totally different NBA. Comparisons should be thrown out the window. You’re comparing career trajectory of Kobe and RJ. Kobe was comparing himself to the GOAT Jordan. You’re talking about self motivation here. Does RJ have that drive to want to be the goat or is he content being just a good player. The trajectory tells you something but the eye test lets you know that the comparison is way off.

Also Kobe’s first couple years were before the rules changed to entirely favor offense and the 3pter

Rookie wrote:If RJ is Kobe, shouldn't Jeane Buss and Rob Plinks (and every other team for that matter) be beating down our door to trade for RJ? Ja for RJ? Doncic for RJ? Freak for RJ? All them dudes for RJ?

Did I say R.J. Barrett is Kobe Bryant?

Or did I simply use Kobe Bryant as an example in order to prove just how amazing of a start (to an NBA Career) that R.J. Barrett is having (before even completing his 4th year)?

Kobe Bryant:
266 Games. ✔️
7,579 Minutes.
4,240 Points.
1,054 Rebounds.
803 Assists. ✔️
301 Steals ✔️
175 Blocks. ✔️
608 Turnovers.
.450 FG%. ✔️
.331 3PT%.

Vs.

R.J. Barrett:
241 Games.
8,123 Minutes. ✔️
4,339 Points. ✔️
1,335 Rebounds. ✔️
691 Assists.
172 Steals.
60 Blocks.
515 Turnovers. ✔️
.421 FG%.
.353 3PT%. ✔️

NYKMentality wrote:

Rookie wrote:If RJ is Kobe, shouldn't Jeane Buss and Rob Plinks (and every other team for that matter) be beating down our door to trade for RJ? Ja for RJ? Doncic for RJ? Freak for RJ? All them dudes for RJ?

Did I say R.J. Barrett is Kobe Bryant?

Or did I simply use Kobe Bryant as an example in order to prove just how amazing of a start (to an NBA Career) that R.J. Barrett is having (before even completing his 4th year)?

Kobe Bryant:
266 Games. ✔️
7,579 Minutes.
4,240 Points.
1,054 Rebounds.
803 Assists. ✔️
301 Steals ✔️
175 Blocks. ✔️
608 Turnovers.
.450 FG%. ✔️
.331 3PT%.

Vs.

R.J. Barrett:
241 Games.
8,123 Minutes. ✔️
4,339 Points. ✔️
1,335 Rebounds. ✔️
691 Assists.
172 Steals.
60 Blocks.
515 Turnovers. ✔️
.421 FG%.
.353 3PT%. ✔️

Sorry man, I didn't realize you were here trying to pump up the value of your RJ Bobble Head collection. In a 2019 re-draft I'm pretty sure everyone on the planet except for you would have taken Darius Garland, not that RJ isn't a decent player. I'm curious. What happens if you do a Kobe Garland comparison?

NYKMentality wrote:

Rookie wrote:

NYKMentality wrote:

Rookie wrote:If RJ is Kobe, shouldn't Jeane Buss and Rob Plinks (and every other team for that matter) be beating down our door to trade for RJ? Ja for RJ? Doncic for RJ? Freak for RJ? All them dudes for RJ?

Did I say R.J. Barrett is Kobe Bryant?

Or did I simply use Kobe Bryant as an example in order to prove just how amazing of a start (to an NBA Career) that R.J. Barrett is having (before even completing his 4th year)?

Kobe Bryant:
266 Games.
7,579 Minutes.
4,240 Points.
1,054 Rebounds.
803 Assists.
301 Steals.
175 Blocks.
608 Turnovers.
.450 FG%.
.331 3PT%.

Vs.

R.J. Barrett:
241 Games.
8,123 Minutes.
4,339 Points.
1,335 Rebounds.
691 Assists.
172 Steals.
60 Blocks.
515 Turnovers.
.421 FG%.
.353 3PT%.

Sorry man, I didn't realize you were here trying to pump up the value of your RJ Bobble Head collection. In a 2019 re-draft I'm pretty sure everyone on the planet except for you would have taken Darius Garland, not that RJ isn't a decent player. I'm curious. What happens if you do a Kobe Garland comparison?

Hmmm.

Let's see.

R.J. Barrett has scored more Points than Garland, has put up more Rebounds than Garland, has accumulated more Blocked Shots than Garland and has LESS TURNOVERS than Garland too.

And if we're going to split hairs over FG% and 3PT%? We're splitting hairs there. The only thing he's better @ is assisting. And that's it.

And guess what?

R.J. Barrett is a MUCH better Defensive Player than Garland as well because he's able to guard 4 positions @ SG/SF and also PG/PF when asked to; unlike Garland.

It's just funny watching NYK fans talk up Garland in order to slight R.J. Barrett despite the fact Garland has never even sniffed the Playoffs before (something he'd get killed by NYK fans for, if drafted as a Knick).

Do you have a Garland bobblehead or jersey in your bedroom or something?

And let's not talk about CLUTCH either. Because RJ has a clutch gene; something Garland has never had.

You're not going to mention that Garland has an assist to turnover ratio of 2 to 1 while RJ nearly turns the ball over once for every assist? Or that Garland has more win shares than RJ despite playing in less games. And this is all while playing an injury plagued rookie season that was Frank Ntilikina levels of bad? We get it, RJ is a young player who is still developing. I'm rooting for RJ and hope he reaches his final form as a Knick. But you're on some Paul Heyman levels of hype. HOFers, All Stars, all time greats... How about we let RJ's game speak for itself before we start talking crazy. I'll be happy to be proven wrong if RJ becomes a star on the Knicks. But it's show and prove.

NYKMentality wrote:Kobe Bryant:
266 Games. ✔️
7,579 Minutes.
4,240 Points.
1,054 Rebounds.
803 Assists. ✔️
301 Steals ✔️
175 Blocks. ✔️
608 Turnovers.
.450 FG%. ✔️
.331 3PT%.

Vs.

R.J. Barrett:
241 Games.
8,123 Minutes. ✔️
4,339 Points. ✔️
1,335 Rebounds. ✔️
691 Assists.
172 Steals.
60 Blocks.
515 Turnovers. ✔️
.421 FG%.
.353 3PT%. ✔️

Yes.

It's obvious that Kobe Bryant was the better overall player etc.

But I just wanted to point out how much of an incredible start to an NBA Career that R.J. Barrett is currently having. I think this kid is a lot more special than many of us (currently) realize (and he's still the youngest player on our entire roster too).

PS: Kobe Bryant didn't win his 1st ring (alongside of Shaq) until his 4th year.

We've got something extremely special and rare in R.J. Barrett, and I'm just anxious to watch if both of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle can help unlock his Superstar Potential moving forward; because not too many 22 year olds have EVER put up these types of NBA numbers (before even completing their 1st 4 years of NBA Play).

Understand how you are using this comparison to show the RJ haters that RJ has done more than they claim. And that RJ should be given time.
Although, some may think you are concluding RJ will be the next Kobe.
Agree that Knicks fans undervalue their own and over value other teams players without really knowing/watching those other players. Typical for fandom.

For me, RJ is a good developing player. Some forget, that in normal NBA history, he would barely be sniffing the floor at his age. He has shown the ability to shine in the spotlight at a young age. He is definitely not afraid to take the big shot or play in a surrounding like NY. He has a very good work ethic and seems to have high goals. No reason to give up on a player like that. Especially at this age. Biggest need for improvement, imo, is his bball IQ. Think he is so focussed on improving his scoring aspect that he does not work as hard learning the game. Rarely see him make the right play or look to take advantage of weaknesses in the defense. Rarely sets others up with basic drive and kick plays. Feel if he improves that aspect of the game and his three point shot, he can be an All Star. As all our players, moving on from him depends on the return.

gradyandrew wrote:I think attitude wise there's also something there. Both guys had pro dads and both have a chip on their shoulder to out play their dad's. Also, RJ does a lot of runaway ISO plays where he gets the switch, isolates his defender, then gets the ball a few feet behind the 3 point line. At that point 99% of the time RJ is going to take his guy to the rack for a layup or to draw a foul. That's what I see.

Rookie wrote:If RJ is Kobe, shouldn't Jeane Buss and Rob Plinks (and every other team for that matter) be beating down our door to trade for RJ? Ja for RJ? Doncic for RJ? Freak for RJ? All them dudes for RJ?

Hopefully we don’t trade RJ for a 40 year old Divac

Philc1 wrote:

Rookie wrote:If RJ is Kobe, shouldn't Jeane Buss and Rob Plinks (and every other team for that matter) be beating down our door to trade for RJ? Ja for RJ? Doncic for RJ? Freak for RJ? All them dudes for RJ?

Hopefully we don’t trade RJ for a 40 year old Divac

Even when your not funny, your inaccurate. Vlade was 28 when he was traded from the lakers for the 13th pick. In hindsight the biggest blunder was the Nets who took Kerry Kittles ahead of him because despite a great tryout.
So while history tells us what **** up it was to let him slide to the 13th pick, echoing ignorant statements and letting it slide is also not what we do here.

Vlade Divac went on the have long career to age 36. Infact, at age 32 made the allstar team with SAC and played on some very good teams there! HE had five straight years playing over 80 games each. Most teams would have been glad to trade for him for teh 13th pick in a draft. But when the pick was for Kobe thats another story. ALso he had had communicated that he might play in europe than CLT as leverage. That was a thing then. Danny Ferry signed a one year contract for 1.5mil as the second pick and played there rather than for the Clippers. His choices were play in the CBA or sit out a year. He was eventually traded. Danny’s father Bob was a long time GM for the Bullets.

As for Kobe, he likely would have been fine to play for the Nets as I recall reading these last few years in his postmortem depictions. Kobe was a lot of things besides the final but best version of himself. He, like Lebron matured on and off the court.

BigDaddyG wrote:

NYKMentality wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:https://stathead.com/tiny/2lwzr

Why not make a more reasonable RJ comparison, like Caris LeVert? I'm rooting for RJ, but he projects a ceiling of being a solid wing if you look at it objectively. Nothing wrong with that, but definitely not an untouchable.
Caris LeVert comparison: https://stathead.com/tiny/flXGu

Because.

Caris LeVert is currently in his 7th year but yet only averaging 12.4 Points here in 2022-2023 (despite being 28 years old).

Imo.

There is nothing comparable in regards to Caris LeVert when comparing the max-potential of R.J. Barrett.

I watched the Cleveland game last night (while hoping for a Cavs loss). And I paid extra attention to Caris LeVert (due to your R.J. Barrett comparison) and let me say this; for being in his 7th season of NBA Play and @ the age of dang near 29 years old? He STINKS.

37 minutes?

With only 2 Points scored?

Shot 1/12 from the field? 1-12?!?!? .083%?

Couldn't even earn 1 Free Throw Attempt?

0/6 from 3?

Heck.

Only 3 Rebounds?

R.J. Barrett would get destroyed by this NY fan base had he wet the bed (like that).

He single handedly lost the game (against a mediocre OKC team) and he was the sole reason on how/why his Cleveland team lost by 12 points (to the Thunder).

While watching the game? I couldn't stop laughing @ how bad Caris LeVert is especially considering the fact he's 28-29 years old as a 7th year (veteran).

If we're going to sit here and compare R.J. Barrett's potential to that of "CARIS LEVERT"? I told myself while watching the game; the R.J. Barrett hate is... REAL.

RJ has never had a season close to as good as Levert's best season. You need to chill with slander; Here's a player comparison list I saw. None of those players are HOFers or All Stars. Again, I'm not even an RJ hater. But you're obviously cherry picking stats to show something that's clearly not there.
https://craftednba.com/players/rj-barrett

And Caris LeVert's 1st 4 NBA years couldn't hold a jock strap to R.J. Barrett's 1st 4 years of NBA Play.

R.J. Barrett's 1st 4 years:
4,358 Points (+1,643) ✓
1,339 Rebounds (+551) ✓
692 Assists (-72).
173 Steals (-53)
60 Blocks ✓

Caris LeVert's 1st 4 years:
2,715 Points (-1,643).
788 Rebounds (-551).
764 Assists (+72) ✓
226 Steals (+53) ✓
54 Blocks (-6).

And you know what's funny? R.J. Barrett's 1st 4 years = only 19, 20, 21 and 22 years old vs. Caris LeVert's 1st 4 years @ 22, 23, 24 and 25 years old 🤣🦗 🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗😭

Keep in mind. There's still another 32 games remaining in R.J. Barrett's 4th season.

PS: 🚨R.J. Barrett during only his 4th year @ only 22 years young is having a better 2022-2023 season than a 7th year 28 year old Caris LeVert 🚨

BigDaddyG wrote:

NYKMentality wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:

NYKMentality wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:https://stathead.com/tiny/2lwzr

Why not make a more reasonable RJ comparison, like Caris LeVert? I'm rooting for RJ, but he projects a ceiling of being a solid wing if you look at it objectively. Nothing wrong with that, but definitely not an untouchable.
Caris LeVert comparison: https://stathead.com/tiny/flXGu

Because.

Caris LeVert is currently in his 7th year but yet only averaging 12.4 Points here in 2022-2023 (despite being 28 years old).

Imo.

There is nothing comparable in regards to Caris LeVert when comparing the max-potential of R.J. Barrett.

I watched the Cleveland game last night (while hoping for a Cavs loss). And I paid extra attention to Caris LeVert (due to your R.J. Barrett comparison) and let me say this; for being in his 7th season of NBA Play and @ the age of dang near 29 years old? He STINKS.

37 minutes?

With only 2 Points scored?

Shot 1/12 from the field? 1-12?!?!? .083%?

Couldn't even earn 1 Free Throw Attempt?

0/6 from 3?

Heck.

Only 3 Rebounds?

R.J. Barrett would get destroyed by this NY fan base had he wet the bed (like that).

He single handedly lost the game (against a mediocre OKC team) and he was the sole reason on how/why his Cleveland team lost by 12 points (to the Thunder).

While watching the game? I couldn't stop laughing @ how bad Caris LeVert is especially considering the fact he's 28-29 years old as a 7th year (veteran).

If we're going to sit here and compare R.J. Barrett's potential to that of "CARIS LEVERT"? I told myself while watching the game; the R.J. Barrett hate is... REAL.

RJ has never had a season close to as good as Levert's best season. You need to chill with slander; Here's a player comparison list I saw. None of those players are HOFers or All Stars. Again, I'm not even an RJ hater. But you're obviously cherry picking stats to show something that's clearly not there.
https://craftednba.com/players/rj-barrett

And Caris LeVert's 1st 4 NBA years couldn't hold a jock strap to R.J. Barrett's 1st 4 years of NBA Play.

R.J. Barrett's 1st 4 years:
4,358 Points (+1,643)
1,339 Rebounds (+551)
692 Assists (-72).
173 Steals (-53).
60 Blocks (-6).

Caris LeVert's 1st 4 years:
2,715 Points (-1,643).
788 Rebounds (-551).
764 Assists (+72).
226 Steals (+53).
54 Blocks (-6).

And you know what's funny? R.J. Barrett's 1st 4 years = only 19, 20, 21 and 22 years old vs. Caris LeVert's 1st 4 years @ 22, 23, 24 and 25 years old.

Keep in mind. There's still another 32 games remaining in R.J. Barrett's 4th season.

PS;R.J. Barrett during only his 4th year @ only 22 years young is having a better 2022-2023 season than a 7th year 28 year old Caris LeVert ;

OK, you got me. I finally see that RJ's below average productivity so far at the wing position is the sign of something special. I'm starting to the see the Kobe Bryant parallels. Kobe Bryant? Why stop there. Lebron is the perfect parallel. No, no, wait it's Wilt. I didn't see it before because I'm a hater. Now excuse me, I want to catch these Trevor Keels highlights before the game.

It's okay.

I know, I know; you're just upset and mad about R.J. Barrett already having more Points Scored + more Rebounds than Kobe Bryant did after Kobe Bryant's 1st 4 years (while R.J. Barrett still has another 32 games in order to continue his 1st 4 years of NBA development).