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Knicks fans shouldn’t worry over RJ Barrett’s struggles in Summer League

By Kevin Connelly

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 07: RJ Barrett #8 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket against Landry Nnoko #36 of the Phoenix Suns during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 07: RJ Barrett #8 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket against Landry Nnoko #36 of the Phoenix Suns during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The former superstar freshman for the Duke Basketball program, R.J. Barrett continued his shooting woes in the NBA Las Vegas Summer League, but New York Knick fans shouldn’t be concerned.

There’s no need to panic, it’s only Summer League.

But, R.J. Barrett‘s shooting has not been that great in his first two games with the New York Knicks in the Las Vegas Summer League.

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In his first game in the highly anticipated, earthquake-shorten showdown with former teammate and No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson, Barrett ended the night with ten points on 4-of-18 shooting, 1-of-8 from 3-point range, and 1-of-4 from the free throw line.

Barrett’s second game wasn’t much better as after staring 2-of-3 from the game, with a dunk and a made 3-pointer, the consensus All-American missed his next nine shots, three of which came from 3-point range, before getting a contented lay-up to go in the fourth quarter.

The No. 3 overall pick also went 1-of-4 from the free throw line.

On the night, Barrett scored eight points on 3-of-15 shooting from the field. In addition to his eight points, RJ also gathered ten rebounds, an assist, two steals, and a game saving block at the end of regulation, but those were coupled with eight turnovers and four fouls.

The former Blue Devil did finish with a +/- rating of +3, the highest of any Knick.

Again, absolutely no need to panic for Knicks fans, but RJ Barrett just needs to be more aware and aggressive on the floor because this isn’t college anymore, he’s playing against professional basketball players who are competing for their livelihoods.

In two games in Las Vegas, Barrett has shot 7-for-33 from the field and 2-for-13 from 3-point range.

The numbers Barrett has put up in two games with the Knicks clearly don’t represent his season at Duke, where he shot 45.4% from the field and 30.8% from 3-point range while averaging 3.2 turnovers per game.

After surrendering a double-digit lead, the Knicks fell in overtime to the Phoenix Suns, 105-100.

New York will have Monday off before getting back on the court on Tuesday to face the Toronto Raptors at 9:30pm EST and the game can be seen on NBA TV.

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