Duke basketball product setting wrong type of NBA records

RJ Barrett’s main flaw nowadays is the same as in his Duke basketball days.

At some point, stats don’t lie. At this point, a statistician would claim we’ve long since reached that point when it comes to the inaccurate 3-point shooting of former Duke basketball one-and-done and second-year New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett.

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See, the No. 3 overall selection at the 2019 NBA Draft is in the midst of an 0-for-21 stretch from downtown for the 2-3 Knicks. Ever since a 3-for-3 clip in the season opener, Barrett has failed to knock down a trifecta across nine halves.

During a Thursday loss against the Toronto Raptors, Barrett took part in an NBA record of 23 consecutive 3-point misses by a starting five. New York was an abysmal 3-for-36 from beyond the arc, including 1-for-4 by former Blue Devil Austin Rivers.

Barrett and Reggie Bullock became the first NBA teammates to ever each finish a game 0-for-8 or worse from deep.

Persistent denial could prove costly for the Duke basketball alum

Now, when honest eyes examine RJ Barrett’s 3-point numbers both as a professional and as a collegian, it’s quite clear that this current drought should be viewed as less of a slump and more of another telltale warning sign.

As a Blue Devil, Barrett finished a lousy 73-for-237 (30.8 percent) from long distance. As a Knick, the 6-foot-6 lefty out of Canada is currently a slightly lousier 66-for-221 (29.9 percent); this season alone, he is 3-for-24 (12.5 percent). That’s 139-for-458 (30.3 percent) since the No. 1 prep prospect on the 247Sports 2018 Composite graduated high school.

Altogether, those stats don’t lie.

Apparently, though, the increasingly frequent 3-point shooter himself — averaging 4.8 such attempts this season after 3.5 as a rookie — remains stubbornly convinced he’s a bonafide sniper. According to Stefan Bondy of New York Daily News, here’s what Barrett is saying about his stroke as the Knicks prepare for a road meeting with the Indiana Pacers at 7 p.m. Saturday:

“I’m going to keep shooting. I’m getting open shots. I just have to knock them down.”

Surely, someone in the Knicks organization will help the 20-year-old recognize that the reason for the wealth of open looks is a lack of respect from defenses — because, you know, stats don’t lie.

If not, then despite a wealth of potential as a strong rebounder and driver who is averaging 15.4 points and 7.4 boards this season, Barrett could be headed for a relatively disappointing payday when he becomes a restricted free agent following next season.

Look, no NBA player has ever chucked more than 2,500 attempts from 3-point range while hitting less than 30 percent for a career. Right now, though early, Barrett is on pace to become the first.

Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more on RJ Barrett plus other Duke basketball news and views.