That’s how his teammates talk. That’s how they work. That’s how they compete and practice.
RJ Barrett noticed the number of players who trained at the MSG Training Center in August and early September and the spirit at the start of training camp.
That’s why he headlined Media Day that the Knicks would “shock the world.”
“What I was trying to say is we all have something to prove. We all have a chip on our shoulder. We all prove ourselves.” I go out there and work very hard every day,” Barrett told the Post after practice on Sunday. “I always feel like I have something to prove. What I was saying is if we can collectively get involved in the right way every day and play together, offensively and defensively, everything will be fine. I still feel it and still believe it.”
The fourth-year wing showed such an attitude that many players have a special motivation, partly because the Knicks struggled a year ago in a 37-45 season. It’s beyond.
The roster is not made up of established veterans. Julius Randle is trying to get back to the form he had two years ago when he was named to the NBA’s second team. Jalen Brunson has the opportunity to run a team for the first time in his career. Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes are trying to establish themselves.Barrett aims for his first All-Star appearance after landing $107 million ($120 million including incentives) extension over four years.
“Especially in this league, whoever goes hungry first isn’t even X and O after that,” he said. “The more aggressive team, the team that wants more, will win.”
Barrett himself has a lot to prove. He wants to be an All-Star and return to the playoffs. One of his areas of particular focus from last season was improving his layup and free throw shooting. From the line he shot 71.4% and it haunted him all summer how many points he missed without finishing enough plays around the rim. That was his focus all offseason.
“That’s what I really have to get off,” Barrett said. “It’s a gimme point, not just for me, but for the team. Let’s say he loses the game by one point. It’s like he missed three free throws. Those are the things I look back on. is what bothers you.
The Knicks have been plagued by a variety of issues after failing to make the playoffs last year, but they believe the offseason addition will fix the issues and could lead to a season comeback. Early signs are promising, especially the work habits coach Tom Thibodeau preaches. We believe Barrett could be a surprise team this year, which is why he made headlines with a statement to “shock the world.”
“Okay,” said Barrett. “It’s about the action, how we’ve been working with each other in training camp, and how everyone’s been competing to win with everything that we’ve seen from it.”
