December 4, 2021, the Nuggets have just made their law at Madison Square Garden. In the loss, RJ Barrett signs an average performance with 13 points and a bad 1/7 on shots behind the 3-point line.
Tom Thibodeau does not hesitate then to light it up at a press conference : “ In my opinion, you find your rhythm when you work. Last year he got going when he started coming in every night to shoot. There is no: ‘Okay, I will work sometimes’. No, you have to do it all the time to end up shooting 40% from 3-pointers. So go back to the gym and practice shooting.“
Message passed and well received because three days later, his player slammed 32 points with an impressive long distance success (7/8) in a victory at San Antonio. This December streak obviously had positive effects for the Canadian. After a very complicated month of November (only 13 points on average at 36% success), he gradually increased the pace in the following weeks, particularly in January.
In addition to his “buzzer beater” at the start of the month against the Celtics, the back signed three performances at 30 points or more. A good thing for the Knicks who have never lost this season when he passes this bar (five wins).
RJ Barrett is performing so well these days that he stands out as his team’s top scorer in January with more than 22 points on average and a solid address (45% including 42% from afar), except on throws where he continues to suffer (65.5%). Behind him ? A certain Julius Randle with less than 17 points on average at 39% success.
“Be able to accept criticism”
Beyond the statistical trend, should we see a gradual shift in terms of “leadership”? ” You should ask Chris Paul or Bron (LeBron James),” retorts the 21-year-old player, questioned yesterday on the qualities required, according to him, to pose as a leader.
In New York, this question did not arise last season as Julius Randle had worn the Knicks. But this one, in recent weeks, does not behave like a leader at all. Between his declining sports performance, his explosive relationship with local fans, his gesture of discontent towards Evan Fournier who tries to calm him down in the face of the referees, his refusal to address the press… The strong winger shines by his immaturity.
Meanwhile, RJ Barrett, who says everything is easier for him now that he’s in his third NBA season, defines leadership ” not just by what you say. It’s what you do, how you act, how you behave in training, on the field, during games.“
” So I’m just trying to bring some positive energy. I also think that the staff and the players trust me, so if I say something or put my two cents in there, we can have a conversation about it. […] It starts with character. If you say something, you must be able to say it yourself. Also being able to accept criticism and being framed by the coach, I think those two things go hand in hand.“
Julius Randle may have ringing ears…
| RJ Barrett | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 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 | 39 | 32 | 41.7 | 35.0 | 68.5 | 0.8 | 4.9 | 5.7 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 16.9 |
| Total | 167 | 33 | 42.3 | 36.4 | 68.4 | 0.9 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 16.3 | |
