RJ Barret has been very inconsistent but has followed a patern of improving his play dramatically after the All-Star Break. He is also improving year over year.
A big knock on him initially was free-throws as he was horrible.
He worked on that and is now respectable from the line.
Although this is probably a career low-point for RJ when comparing actual output to expectations, I believe he is absolutely primed for a massive end of year run.
RJ Barret after All-Star Break:
- 2020 - 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 37.5% from the field, 30.0% from 3-point range, and 55.6% from the free-throw line.
- 2021 - 17.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game while shooting 45.4% from the field, 38.2% from 3-point range, and 77.2% from the free-throw line.
- 2022 - 24.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists
- 2023 - ???
This year he has more competition for his minutes than ever before.
This is a pressure-cooker scenario where we will get to quickly see what Barret is made of in short period of time.
I think he will come back strong and probably frustrate fans who will wonder where that player was the first 3 quarters of the season.
The competition should lead to a more consistent RJ Barret going forward, creating the complete player fans have been waiting for.
I hate to think of the alternative scenario, but either way we will know the player we have by the end of the season.