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New year, same New York Knicks: Plenty of people to blame in 2022

By Larry Hammonds

Dec 4, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) and head coach Tom Thibodeau talk during the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) and head coach Tom Thibodeau talk during the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 21: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks in action against the Chicago Bulls in the first half at United Center on November 21, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

New year, same New York Knicks: RJ Barrett

Julius Randle and RJ Barrett have seemingly “regressed to the mean” after both enjoyed their respective breakout seasons. As the perceived top-two players on the team, they need to be better.

Entering his third season, the expectation was for RJ to continue to build off the progress he made last year and take another step forward in his development. That has yet to be the case for the 21-year-old wing.

While Barrett has taken on more responsibility on the defensive side, offensively, he’s looked more like his rookie self than anyone would admit. He’s currently averaging 15 points per game with dreadful shooting splits of .400/.320/.702.

While he’s attributed his struggles to not being able to get in the gym as much as he’s grown accustomed to, in addition to playing through a stomach illness and missing two weeks in health and safety protocols.

The former third overall draft pick needs to pick up his play if the Knicks are going to have a chance to turn things around this season. According to basketball reference, the Knicks have a -5.8 net rating when he’s on the court as opposed to a +5.5 net rating when he’s on the sidelines.

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