The Knicks wrapped their preseason with a blowout loss to the Washington Wizards Wednesday night, finishing their exhibition slate 1-3 with the regular season beginning in less than a week.
While it’s difficult to glean much from inconsequential games in which we hardly saw what the final product will look like, there are some positive takeaways to keep track of once the real competition starts...
RJ Barrett’s aggressiveness and free-throw shooting
The third overall pick and fifth-year man long awaited to become a star is on a recent tear, between a promising postseason and FIBA World Cup run. It’s not exaggerating to say he alone may determine how high this Knicks team’s ceiling is.
While he didn't shoot from the field particularly well in the preseason, he got to the line a ton, and converted once he was there. In his first two preseason games, Barrett attempted 21 free throws in 40 minutes, converting on 18.
If Barrett can maintain this newfound aggression and whistle-drawing, it would boost his efficiency in a big way and open up more playmaking opportunities for him. Taking his game to the next level will be vital to this Knicks season and those to follow.
Mitchell Robinson’s comfort level
This is the most natural Robinson has looked in his Knicks tenure, as he’s seemed to fully embrace his role and both physically and mentally grown into it beautifully.
An offensive rebound into an easy finish or new possession seems as inevitable as it was during last season's first-round playoff series against the Cavaliers, and his defense looks to be in midseason form.