I’ve seen a few people defending RJ and saying it’s only been two bad games, or that everyone was bad last night, but I wanted to share the stats posted by Tommy Beer a little bit ago about RJ’s shooting this season:
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*This is not just about two games.*
*Barrett was the only player in the NBA this season to average more than 16 FG attempts per game yet shoot < 44% from the floor and < 32% on 3PTs*
*Over the season’s final five weeks (16 games), RJ converted just 22% of his 3PT attempts (19-of-85)* ([LINK](https://twitter.com/TommyBeer/status/1648767946502594581))
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I don’t know what’s caused such a regression, and he hasn’t reached the frustration level of watching Elfrid Payton get so much playing time in ’20-21, but something really need to change with RJ, and how he’s used in this offense, ASAP.
by mikesh8rp
7 Comments
Less shots, zero to little 3 pt attempts, that is all. I am sorry to say but adjustments need to be made right away
Not saying he is useless out there, but if he can contribute with taking smarter shots at a lower rate, hustle on D, and give us as many assists he did in game 1 we will be ok
He’s also #3 in most FG attempts blocked lol
His 3 ball is broken. I think everyone realized that by the end of Feb. His only saving grace at the end of the year was that he was shooting 55% on 2s in his last 15 games but against the cavs he’s not going to get good looks in the paint. (In fact none of our guys do) Plus he loves to chuck 3s despite his broken shot.
I’ve said it a billion times and as a former college player, we know the answer to this: RJ’s not shooting with his legs. Why is Grimes such a good 3pt shooter? Because not only is his form textbook, but he uses his legs to get up and get a smooth jumper off.
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RJ does not use his legs at all. Funny enough, I will never forget one of our Boston games where RJ was forced to shoot a 3 off a curl to beat the shot clock and he nailed it.
His offense was painful to watch last night. I vocally said “ew” or “what?!” a few times last night when he attempted shots or dribbled too much or whatever.
I can’t tell if his D has been good or just good relative to his crappy offensive game.
Regardless, he needs to figure this ish out soon, or give up minutes to someone else.
He is the Frank Ntilikina we always wanted. Dude is only out there to defend Garland. That’s the crazy thing we need him. I still don’t know how Grimes, RJ and Brunson are gonna defend, Mitchell, Garland and Levert.
We lose game 3 and he gets benched calling it now.