The Knicks are not putting RJ Barrett in the best position to succeed

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 26: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks looks on during pregame warm-ups prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Madison Square Garden on November 26, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

New York Knicks head coach, Tom Thibodeau, is currently under the impression that RJ Barrett’s shooting woes are due to a change in approach. Thibodeau told the media on December 5th that Barrett’s shooting struggles might be related to the fact that he is not in the gym shooting every night. Thibodeau’s comments are off-base because RJ Barrett’s shooting struggles are not related to his work ethic.

On December 18th, 2018, Barrett’s college head coach, Mike Krzyzewski lauded his work ethic while speaking to reporters in the media dining room at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Krzyzewski stated that he had some hard-working players during his time at Duke (Bobby Hurley, Jay Williams, JJ Redick, Trajan Langdon), but that Barrett’s work ethic was on another level.

New York Knicks wing RJ Barrett is known for his hard work, yet the narrative right now does not reflect that

Despite Krzyzewski’s praise, RJ Barrett struggled behind the arc during his lone season as a Duke Blue Devil, converting 30.8 percent of his attempts on 6.2 shots per game. Barrett continued to struggle as a shooter once he became a professional despite maintaining his work ethic.

Upon entering the league, members of the Knicks organization continued to praise Barrett’s work ethic. Former head coach David Fizdale stated that Barrett’s work ethic was second to none after the team fired him. Unfortunately, Barrett struggled from behind the arc during his rookie season, shooting 32 percent on 3.5 attempts per game.

Before the 2020-21 season, Thibodeau stated that Barrett was working very hard in practice. Barrett’s work ethic didn’t improve his three-point shooting as he got off to a slow start, shooting 29.8 percent from behind the arc on 3.6 attempts over the first 25 games of last season.

After the 25th game, Barrett caught a hot streak and shot 44.7 percent from behind the arc over the remaining 47 games, on 4.7 attempts. Barrett’s hot streak would elevate his regular-season three-point shooting percentage to 40.1 percent from behind the arc on 4.3 attempts.

Unfortunately, he cooled off during the playoffs, only making 28.6 percent of his attempts on 5.6 shots per game in five playoff games. Despite Barrett’s well-documented issues, he is taking 39.7 percent of his shots from behind the arc averaging 5.3 per game. Barrett didn’t regain that hot streak during the first 23 games, only converting 34.7 percent of his attempt.

The Knicks are not putting RJ Barrett in the best position to succeed

Thibodeau needs to come to grips with the fact that shooting is the weakness in RJ Barrett’s offensive skillset if he wants Barrett to be more consistent offensively. He needs to put him closer to the basket, as Barrett has made 55.3 percent of his shots in the restricted area in two-plus seasons as a professional, on 5.4 shots per game.

This field goal percentage in the restricted area has enabled Barrett to average 5.9 points per game when he is near the basket – 37.4 percent of his scoring output.

Barrett likes to get near the basket in one particular fashion – transition. Barrett has spent 21.2 percent of his possessions in transition during his professional career, averaging 3.6 per game. He has shot 49.4 percent in transition on 2.8 shots per game.

He has averaged 3.8 points in transition during his career – 23.9 percent of his scoring output. Barrett’s offensive skillset fits more with the bench as the New York Knicks’ bench has young players who could get out on the open floor and run, like Immanuel Quickley and Obadiah Toppin.

In conclusion, RJ Barrett’s struggles have more to do with his current role than his work ethic.