MS wrote:Quick decisions is what both RJ and Julius need to maximize.

If he just goes he usually scores. It’s the clear out and dribble then drive that always gets himself into trouble. RJ does look a little bulky, similar to when mitch bulked up. Added speed would definitely help his defense.

Good point about clear outs. I think IQ is a step above RJ in the quick decisions dept. His dribble is a big reason why.

RJ looks like he's figuring things out but I just dont know if the Randle/Brunson/RJ pairing is the way to go. Not about the individual players, but how they work together as a "big 3". The playoffs should be a good barometer.

Alpha1971 wrote:Last season at this time most of us wanted Julius gone. However, Julius went to work and humbly confronted his faults and came back a better teammate and playing better team ball. RJ has the talent and physical gifts to be a valuable third or four player. I think IQ or Grimes may become the third option but if RJ can be a consistent two way player, he can be the piece the team needs, if he takes that step up. What needs to happen to help him improve love to see him be the MIP next season

RJ’s lack of speed/quickness is a big concern for me — both impact him on both sides of the ball.

Additionally RJ (if he’s not going downhill) has a very poor handle, is a poor passer and he has maybe the slowest release in ht NBA.

The path to a big year in 23/24 I’d getting into elite Miami Heat / Pat Riley condition where he drops 10 pounds but stays strong. Drop body fat, maintain strength and get quicker.

Lastly he needs to focus on the little things - not 95% scoring. Julius far more skilled and superior athlete but Jules has mental make up,of 2nd grader.

I was not impressed with him in the first half. But then the Lakers switched AD onto Randle Julius had to pass, and Thibs made the adjustment to let Hart bring the ball up.

So Hart ran and kept getting RJ transition looks. And that is when RJ looks great. I love watching him get a layup or insuring contact and getting to FT attempts

fishmike wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

Alpha1971 wrote:Last season at this time most of us wanted Julius gone. However, Julius went to work and humbly confronted his faults and came back a better teammate and playing better team ball. RJ has the talent and physical gifts to be a valuable third or four player. I think IQ or Grimes may become the third option but if RJ can be a consistent two way player, he can be the piece the team needs, if he takes that step up. What needs to happen to help him improve love to see him be the MIP next season

RJ’s lack of speed/quickness is a big concern for me — both impact him on both sides of the ball.

Additionally RJ (if he’s not going downhill) has a very poor handle, is a poor passer and he has maybe the slowest release in ht NBA.

The path to a big year in 23/24 I’d getting into elite Miami Heat / Pat Riley condition where he drops 10 pounds but stays strong. Drop body fat, maintain strength and get quicker.

Lastly he needs to focus on the little things - not 95% scoring. Julius far more skilled and superior athlete but Jules has mental make up,of 2nd grader.

he's a SG. When he played SG he could bully ball to the rim and simply looked better. When he plays SF he's on bigger guys more and he's simply less effective. To me that's the biggest and most obvious thing. We are playing him out of position and its not to his strength. He's a big strong SG. He's a short and slow SF. Maybe that's an oversimplification but that's what I see.

With IQ/Hart/Grimes here and the FO/coaches loving them RJ isnt getting minutes at SG any time soon. My biggest "desire" to move on from RJ is really just roster fit.

Would RJ struggle even more defending smaller and quicker SG's?

martin wrote:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/ACE_ZULLO/status/1636075870136807425

And still has years to work on his game, his body, and maybe improve upon these numbers ... more.

martin wrote:

Knickoftime wrote:

martin wrote:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/ACE_ZULLO/status/1636075870136807425

And still has years to work on his game, his body, and maybe improve upon these numbers ... more.

That's the baseline for most every player in their 20's quite frankly.

Right, but not every player in their (very early) 20's are top 10 among all players in drives per game and 2nd in FG% behind Doncic.

So there's a differentiator there to work off of, unless I misunderstand the data?

NYKMentality wrote:He's actually came out of All-Star weekend super focused on playing winning basketball.

Previous 4 Games Since his All-Star break:
26.7 Minutes.
16.0 Points.
3.7 Rebounds.
3.2 Assists.
FG = 22/48 (.458%).
3PT = 8/14 (.571%).
+/- of +32 (+8.0 PG).
4-0 (undefeated).

R.J. Barrett is only 22 years old and his Coach believes in him; I'm proud of this kid.

Ever since All-Star Weekend (12 Games) R.J. Barrett is currently averaging....

20.5 Points.
4.7 Rebounds.
2.4 Assists.
FG = 92/197 (@ .467%.)

This kid is only 22 years old but yet he's already one of the highest scoring kids (his age) in the league and without question 1 of the top 3 NBA 3rd Scorers/3rd Options (alongside Jalen Brunson/Julius Randle) within the entire NBA.

technomaster wrote:Maybe RJ needs to go to sales training, because he can't convince refs that he's getting fouled on his drives.

Maybe one day (yes, it does happen) he'll magically start taking 6+ free throws a game. It'll transform his efficiency and TS%.

He needs to spend a summer with Jokic.

Caseloads wrote:I always loved RJ

Did we win the Zion draft???

Yup and R.J. has a lot more Points Scored than Zion, a lot more Rebounds boarded than Zion, a lot more Assists dropped than Zion, more Steals than Zion, more Blocks than Zion and R.J. Barret also has a lot more NBA WINS than Zion Williamson too.

R.J. Barrett:
4,739 Points ✓
1,431 Rebounds ✓
741 Assists ✓
180 Steals ✓
66 Blocks ✓
129 WINS✅

Zion Williamson:
2,941 PTS ❌
792 REB ❌
409 AST ❌
105 STL ❌
64 BLK ❌
57 Wins ❌

Desire to improve, Self-Control and Conditioning all matter; and R.J. Barrett kicks Zion's ass within all 3 Categories.