Jimmy Butler saw in him the future “ face of the Knicks “. Almost two years after this statement from the Heat player, RJ Barrett no longer wears the New York uniform, but that of the Raptors since he was transferred to Toronto with Immanuel Quickley at the end of December.
On Saturday, the Canadian franchise goes to Madison Square Garden for a match that promises to be special for both men. Highest Draft choice since Patrick Ewing and first player selected in the first round since Charlie Ward to be extended, the 23-year-old winger does not know exactly what his return will look like. A tribute video for its past four seasons? He doesn't think about it: ” Nobody has the right to it. »
A standing ovation from the local audience? Likely. “ I love the fans. I don't know what they're going to do. But I love them. I appreciated that they encouraged me, that they supported me. […] There's one thing to know about Knicks fans: They want to win. They want to win as much, if not more, than the players. Understanding this was huge for me. In New York, it was all love. From the bottom of my heart, I really appreciated being there “, he assures the New York Post.
The memory of the first playoffs
His mandate was marked by four good seasons, averaging 18 points, acting as lieutenant to Julius Randle, then Jalen Brunson. Without forgetting this remarkable run in the playoffs last year, until the conference semi-final. Even if the person concerned remembers in particular his previous passage in the playoffs, at the end of the 2020-21 season.
“ My favorite moment was when we came out of the tunnel during the first playoffs, even though we hadn't had any fans all year. (editor’s note: due to Covid), and we heard the sold-out crowd. It was crazy. It was my favorite moment. And my most memorable moment was scoring the game-winning shot against the Celtics at the Garden. And then, of course, dunk on Bogdan Bogdanovic (Hawks) in the playoffs, it's also my favorite moment », he lists.
A member of the “three-headed monster”
So many strong sequences in his young career which did not prevent the Knicks from considering trading him. Already in the summer of 2022, his destiny had been closely linked to that of Donovan Mitchell. He finally joined the Cavs while Barrett landed his big contract extension. Resentful about the Knicks' attitude at the time? “ What do you think I was thinking? Shit, it was my payday. This is what I had in mind, I was happy. »
RJ Barrett concludes: “ I thought we were a three-headed monster (with Randle and Brunson) during a moment. And then, obviously, over time, they made the trade and it worked for them. So I'm happy for them. »
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
