There's no reason for Knicks to lose faith in RJ Barrett amid ugly shooting slump

Through 10 games of the 2023-24 season, it looked as if RJ Barrett was finally taking the leap in Year 5 with the Knicks, as he put up 22.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists on 48.7 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent shooting from three. 

Unfortunately, his offense has sputtered since with averages of 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists on sub-40 percent shooting after he missed three games with migraines.

The decline was immediate and jarring. Barrett went from hyper efficient and reliable to going 15 games with two single-digit performances and only four 20-point outings.

Whatever the reason(s), the drop off has some Knicks fans irked and rethinking whether their team should hold their long-term investment in Barrett. His first four seasons were a roller coaster of flashes and slumps, a long wait for their young star to put it all together.

Last year’s playoffs and the FIBA World Cup that followed seemed to suggest the wait would be worth it. Barrett killed it in both and then to start this season, but has lost his touch in recent weeks.

That’s no reason to lose faith in him, or expect his season to continue this way. Barrett is notorious for his work ethic and ability to bounce back, and I wouldn’t doubt either at this juncture.

In fact, the work is already paying off without many noticing. While the 3-for-10 shooting night jumps off the box score, it’s what he’s done off the paper that instills confidence.

In previous years, a slumping Barrett would be a drag on the starting lineup, and often not close games because of it. This is a matured, different Barrett, though, one who has contributed to winning without scoring.

It starts on the defensive end, where Barrett has refocused to capture that potential we saw in 2021 and early 2022. He’s generally put in a greater effort all over that side of the court, and now taken on tougher assignments with Quentin Grimes out of the starting unit.

It's been reflected in the individual defensive ratings, where Barrett has a better one than any Knick starter. He’s making many fewer mistakes off-ball and even had some nice rim protection moments.

Offensively, he’s worked to fill the gaps when he’s not on. Leaking out in transition and making cuts in the half court have opened up easy opportunities for his team without needing to dominate the ball and drain the shot clock.

He’s done better to mitigate missing shots by being more efficient. His turnover rate is at a career low despite him looking to be more of a playmaker, and he’s knocking down a career best 86 percent of his free throws.

Barrett can build back up by doing some of these simple things more until he’s got his scoring rhythm back. When he can get a step on a defender and use his physicality, it’s almost always free throws. And the way he’s converting, he should start taking lessons from Joel Embiid and James Harden.

Some of this is just seasonal ebbs and flows. There’s going to be stretches where Julius Randle is hot and leading the offense, others where it’s Jalen Brunson or Barrett.

It’s a Knicks fan’s nature to panic at any sign of weakness, but Barrett becoming a full-fledged player never meant he wouldn’t go through some rough weeks. It’s easy to dismiss him after so many stretches like this, but the process hasn’t remained the same.

Barrett’s steps to improve his free throw touch and shot selection, while getting back to that promising defensive impact, have been hugely positive developments amid the ugly shooting. Once that turns around, and there’s no reason it shouldn’t, Barrett will once again look like the All-Star many believed he could be.