Jalen Brunson hasn’t noticed any significant changes in RJ Barrett this season.
“I think the biggest difference is that there isn’t a difference. He’s had the same mentality and approach to every game that I’ve been his teammate,” Brunson said after the Knicks' 129-107 win over the Charlotte Hornets. “He’s chipping away, hitting singles, hitting singles. He’s playing great.”
Barrett’s great start to the season continued Sunday. He had 24 points, hit four of his six three-point attempts and defended well to help New York secure a blowout win.
Barrett didn’t end up with a ton of assists, but his decision-making led to good things for New York. The Knicks outscored Charlotte by 26 in Barrett’s 31 minutes on Sunday.
“I think he’s getting a much better feel for things,” Tom Thibodeau said when asked about the 23-year-old's decision-making.
The coach noted that Barrett had some strong decision-making stretches last season. But he’s made solid reads with the ball consistently in 2023-24.
“He’s seeing different types of defenses. Sometimes he’s being blitzed. Sometimes people are going under. Some teams are switching. He’s starting to feel real comfortable attacking everything,” Thibodeau said. “And he’s playing off people a lot better. He’s moving without the ball, he’s getting some easy buckets, and I think that goes a long way.”
It’s too early in the NBA season to make bold assessments about anything. But the numbers tell you that Barrett is playing some of the best basketball of his career.
The fifth-year wing is averaging career-highs in assist percentage, field goal percentage (48.7), 3-point percentage (50 percent) and free throw percentage (84.8). Entering play Sunday, the Knicks were +14.8 in net rating with Barrett on the floor. (That was before Barrett’s +26 on Sunday).
“I just think I have a little better rhythm and, of course, I think I’m growing as a player,” Barrett said Sunday when asked about his decision-making. “It’s a system that I’ve been able to be in for a little bit.”
What else is different?
Barrett feels his pace has improved. He’s comfortable playing fast and slowing it down.
“It’s not college. You can’t go 100 percent speed the whole time,” he said.
Barrett has played a lot of basketball over the past 12 months. Two playoff series with the Knicks. A FIBA World Cup with Team Canada this summer. The added workload has led to some knee soreness early in the season. But it’s also helped Barrett play with a good rhythm.
“In FIBA, when we played France, I was absolutely terrible. Played Brazil, I was horrible. I had four, five points, stuff like that. So, you kinda get to get some of those games out of the way,” Barrett said Sunday. “It’s easier.”
That ease is a big reason why the Knick starting lineup ranks No. 2 in net rating (min. 6 games).
“It’s kind of easy because I understand and know the reads, and so do my teammates,” Barrett said. “And we’re kinda all just working together right now.”