The 2019 NBA season has been nothing but a disappointment for us New York Knicks fans, however, there have been two bright spots, RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson. 

RJ Barrett

RJ Barrett began his rookie campaign with a splash averaging 18.2 PGG, 3.0 APG, and 6.4 RPG. This early performance sprung him into the way too early ROY conversation, however, his played stalled greatly in December averaging just 11.7 PPG, 1.9 AST, and 5.1 REB. His play began to emerge once more in the Month of January averaging 15.3 PPG in which he had a 6 game stretch where he averaged 19.0 PGG, 5.8 RPG, and 1.3 APG. This reemergence was stopped short due to an ankle sprain sidelining him for 11 games. Shortly after returning from injury, RJ Barrett began looking like his old self once more average 18.7 PPG, and 3.3 APG highlighted by his career-high game against the Houston Rockets Scoring 27 points en route to ending the rockets 7 game win streak at the time. And here we are now with the season on hiatus.

Mitchell Robinson

Mitchell Robinson selected #36 overall out of Western Kentucky in the 2018 NBA draft came into the league as a backup to Enes Kanter. However, as the season went on Robinson receiving more consistent minutes and he flashed his potential averaging 11.3 PPG, 9.7 RPG, and 2,3 BPG for the season. Despite Robinson’s end of season surge heading into the 2019 season, there were clear improvements that were needed to be made in his game one being his fouling issues. Robinson came into the 19/20 season on fire averaging 10.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 2.2 BPG. In the 6 games before the hiatus, Robinson was on a tear averaging 12.6 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 2.0 BPG.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

I believe Barrett and Robinson will be the future for the new york knicks, however, with Robinson’s inability to shoot and Barrett’s shooting inconsistency I do think the Knicks will need to add a passing and shooting hybrid point guard to help create shots and make shots. My final take is if the Knicks can develop Barrett and Robinson to their maximum potential the Knicks will be a consistent playoff team within the next 5 years.