Without Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was of course propelled as the indisputable leader of this Canadian selection, with a certain RJ Barrett as first lieutenant.
So far, we can say that the Knicks player is doing the job with the Canadaaveraging 14.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in 29 minutes (despite success percentages of “only” 42% on shootouts, 34% on 3-pointers and 59% on free throws).
Quiet force of this team, RJ Barrett nevertheless remains one of those responsible for dynamiting the opposing defenses in each match, just to take a little pressure off the shoulders of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
A mission that seems to suit him, even if everything is obviously not perfect for the Knicks player, more effective when he attacks the intervals than when he is content to shoot 3-points.
” He’s still a young player “, recalled his father, Rowan Barrett, on the sidelines of the quarter-final (won) against Slovenia. ” His name has been around for a while, but sometimes we tend to forget that he just turned 23. There’s a level of experience that you need to perform in these kinds of tournaments, so to see him deal with the physical side, the tactical changes and that kind of stuff, it’s good for a young player. »
At the service of the team
As pointed out by his father, incidentally GM of the Canadian selection, RJ Barrett must adapt this summer to a rather new role for him in the selection: that of a shadow worker, supposed to be present when his team needs the most. him. This was also the case this Wednesday against Slovenia and the 3rd choice of the 2019 Draft was there, with his 24 points and 9 rebounds.
” I am very proud of him », said his coach Jordi Fernandez, after his men qualified for the semi-final. ” When we assembled this team, all these guys obviously had a role, a mission to respect. Within their franchises, they can score a lot of points, but in this team, they can have a different job. And I can tell you that I am very proud of RJ, of his aggressiveness, of his movements on the court or his contribution to the rebound, which helps the team to go on the counterattack and play quickly. He’s one of the reasons we won this game. »
However, don’t count on RJ Barrett, certainly “starred” since his adolescence, to pull all the cover for himself. Even after such a performance…
” We did it as a team », he declared, after the first qualification in the last square of a world Cup for his country. ” Everyone played hard, together, we fought and it’s great. It could have been anyone on the team. Shai is obviously the leader, our headliner, and he will always do what he does. But in the last match, it was Dillon who stood out, even before that it was Luguentz who played well… It could just be any player on the team on a good night and that’s the one of our strengths. »
Then RJ Barrett added, regarding the cohesion of this Canadian group: “ We are showing that we are a very hardworking team and when we come together listening to what our coaches ask us to do, then we can be a special team. »
| RJ Barrett | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Min | Shots | 3 points | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | NYK | 56 | 30 | 40.2 | 32.0 | 61.4 | 0.9 | 4.1 | 5.0 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 14.3 |
| 2020-21 | NYK | 72 | 35 | 44.1 | 40.1 | 74.6 | 0.9 | 4.8 | 5.8 | 3.0 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 17.6 |
| 2021-22 | NYK | 70 | 35 | 40.8 | 34.2 | 71.4 | 0.9 | 4.9 | 5.8 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 20.0 |
| 2022-23 | NYK | 73 | 34 | 43.4 | 31.0 | 74.0 | 0.8 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 19.6 |
| Total | 271 | 34 | 42.2 | 34.3 | 70.9 | 0.9 | 4.5 | 5.4 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 18.1 | |
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.
Photo credit: FIBA.com
