New York Knicks: Why they should use RJ Barrett as a cutter

New York Knicks wing RJ Barrett has gotten off to a slow start on the offensive side of the floor during the 2021-22 season. Barrett has shot 39.1 percent from the field over his first four games on 11.5 shots. The field goal percentage has contributed to him only scoring 12 points per game during this stretch.

Let’s take a look at why New York Knicks wing RJ Barrett is off to a slow start offensively and how they can help him be more effective.

Barrett’s low statistical output is related to the team putting a spotlight on his weakness: shooting. New York has predominantly used Barrett off the ball over the first four games. Barrett is averaging 35.3 touches per game, a 33.4 percent decrease from the first 4 games of last season.

Consequently, he has spent most of his playing time behind the arc. For instance, Barrett stood on the left wing, early in the third quarter of a road game against the Orlando Magic. He remained on the ring wing as Kemba Walker waited for Mitchell Robinson to set a screen.

Once Robinson set the screen, Walker went over it and took a couple of steps towards the basket before passing the ball to Barrett for a wide-open three because Mo Bamba was a roadblock on his way to the basket. Unfortunately, Barrett ended the possession by missing that shot.

It is not the first time that Barrett has struggled shooting 3-pointers, as from 2018-19 to 2019-20, he converted at least 30 percent of his attempts on a minimum of 3.5 shots per game. Barrett has only had one great 3-point shooting season, which was the previous campaign, where he made 40.1 percent of his threes during the regular season on 4.3 attempts.

Barrett wasn’t able to maintain that level of efficiency from behind the arc during the playoffs, as he only made 28.6 percent of his attempts during the five games series against the Atlanta Hawks on 5.6 shots per game.

Despite his statistical track record, the Knicks have had RJ Barrett take almost 50 percent of his shots from behind the arc over the first 4 games, averaging 5.8 shots. Barrett’s struggles from behind the arc have continued early on this season, shooting 26.1 percent.

In conjunction with 3-point shooting, Barrett has struggled with spot-up shooting. Barrett spent 23.6 percent of his possessions in the role over the first two seasons. He made 39.3 percent of those attempts on 3.85 shots per game.

Despite his previous struggles, spot-ups have accounted for 29.3 percent of Barrett’s possessions averaging 4.3 per game in his first 4 appearances. He is currently off to a better start shooting 42.9 percent on 4 shots per game.

How the New York Knicks can help RJ Barrett be more effective on offense

If the Knicks want to use Barrett off the ball, they need to put him as close to the restricted area as possible. He made 54.8 percent of his shots in the restricted area over his two first seasons as a professional on 5.75 shots per game.

He has continued to thrive in the restricted area this season, shooting 66.7 percent on 3 shots per game. One way the team can get Barrett closer to the basket is by using him as a cutter. He has excelled in that role in limited opportunities, shooting 54.2 percent from the field on 0.65 shots per game; he has created 0.85 points per game.

If the team refuses to use RJ Barrett as a cutter, his statistical profile says he will continue to struggle as a 3-point shooter.