The 6-3 record is RJ executing off Randle when defense focus on him. Randle does pass more than previous years. RJ’s defense in second half was very contributory to the win. The respect? Its comes with consistency. Giannis did not shut him down, but RJ kept him honest and the ball moved enough to find the open man. Even with Giannis on him he let the game come to him. NO superstar hero ****, just solid 2 way. The path to stardom is crossing up to new accomplishments. RJ is getting there. Giannis and Bucks could not stop Knicks in second half.
They gave Rose the dare to beat them. (Defense gives and winning team executes) Rose got it done. Used to be teams dared RJ to beat them. Now they have to respect him. That opens things up for everyone on the court.

Bucks at home even with a few guys out are dangerous. Its not a bellweather statement (a declaration of contendership) win but as Doris said it was an opportunity and knicks took it. Knick were getting blown out, they calmed down, chipped away then ran up a lead and held it on the road. That was a great win. Very different pattern then previous wins and loss.

When he drives to the rim especially coast to coast he's becoming unstoppable.

Zion Williamson. Ja Morant etc I wouldn't trade R.J. Barrett for either one of them.

R.J. Barrett because of his A+ Defense on the wings has already developed into a two way player and it's only a matter of time before he reaches Paul George ability as a two way nightmare.

TPercy wrote:I respect the hell outta this guy for how hard he worked. Every season its something new: last year it was shooting, this year its his finishing around the rim along with promise of shooting off the dribble. I still don't see a fully formed star yet in the sense that I can throw him the ball and I know he can create a bucket out of nothing. But things are looking up for him. A real #1 guard option, Julius Randle, and a fully developed RJ Barrett can make us championship contenders...

+1

TPercy wrote:I respect the hell outta this guy for how hard he worked. Every season its something new: last year it was shooting, this year its his finishing around the rim along with promise of shooting off the dribble. I still don't see a fully formed star yet in the sense that I can throw him the ball and I know he can create a bucket out of nothing. But things are looking up for him. A real #1 guard option, Julius Randle, and a fully developed RJ Barrett can make us championship contenders...

Bang!

Headshot. Well said.

Yes. Zion stole the freakish hype while @ Duke but we can not and I repeat can not forget that it was R.J. Barrett straight out of High School who was ranked as the #1 basketball prospect in the Country heading into Duke. And then on draft night he goes #3 overall?

Many basketball heads have raved about and seen greatness in this kid for years on end. But now as an NY fan base it's us. We're finally seeing it 1st hand. And seeing why he's been so highly scouted as an A+ blue chip prospect.

I'm loving it. He reminds me so much of a younger and developing TRACY MCGRADY.

• R.J has the size on the wings @ 6'6.
• He's strong as an OX when driving to the rim.
• His Defense is becoming an X-Factor one on one.
• His corner 3 is money.
• And his basketball I.Q is what impresses me the most. To be so young but yet so calm and so smart is what I love the most.

His scoring ability, his passing ability, his dribbling ability and rebound ability, his driving ability and his Defensive ability. It's all there. He's even been learning and practicing fluent footwork on step back 3's I seen it in the Olympics for team Canada this kid is becoming a star. He's really out here playing ball and looking like a top 5 NBA two way wing player. before even completing his 3rd year. And that screams real deal.

And I agree. A powerhouse duo of R.J. Barrett and Julius Randle (both peaking and locked in at the same time) is a Championship caliber tandem.

And it just might take both Derrick Rose and coach Tom Thibs to get these two kids both in their 20s, over the top.