Knicks' RJ Barrett keeps sole focus on winning games
RJ Barrett of the NY Knicks drive to the basket against the Indiana Pacers during pre season game at Madison Square Garden on Fri. Oct. 7th. 2022. Credit: Errol Anderson
MEMPHIS — When training camp began last month RJ Barrett talked about the Knicks shocking the world. And with opening night here now, Barrett wasn’t putting numbers on it, but he did have one prediction.
While much of the NBA seems to be jockeying for lottery position and a shot at French prospect Victor Wembanyama, Barrett looks at the culture determined by winning — the Knicks own success two seasons ago or the runs that the local football teams are on — and is set, like Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, on winning.
“Yeah, what those teams in New York are doing right now has been amazing,” Barrett said. “Also, the run we were able to make a couple years ago was good. You want to win. I’ve never been a part of tanking or anything, so just trying to win, always trying to win and get better. It’s competitive. I don’t know. It’s kind of hard for me to even sit and think about a tanking situation. Trying to go out there, fight and win every game.”
The task begins at FedEx Forum against the Memphis Grizzlies, a tougher task than the preseason just completed when the Knicks went 3-1 against likely lottery-bound teams. But there were promising signs, mostly put in place by the quick chemistry found with new point guard Jalen Brunson added to the incumbent starters.
“You have to take it for what it is. It’s preseason basketball,” Thibodeau said. “And that’s what is in front of us at that time. So you’re working in the summer to get ready for fall then for preseason then for regular season. So there’s a progression to that as well. Everyone is doing what is best for their team at that particular time. So they may be resting starters, they may be looking at young players. There’s a lot of variables that go into it. So usually in the preseason they’re playing 15 guys. In the regular season it’s going to be 9 or 10. Some cases 8. That’s why the intensity of the regular season will go up. Opening night, it’s a tough matchup. We have to be ready to go.”
Even with Jaren Jackson Jr. sidelined for the start of the season, Ja Morant and the Grizzlies are expected to be a contender in the Western Conference.
“We had two really good games with [Memphis last season] actually,” Barrett said. “They’re a good young team. They get it out and run all the time. It’s going to be a good game, a fun game, exciting. That’s the type of game you want for opening night.
“Preseason and regular season are completely different. You don’t know what to expect. You just know that it’s going to be intense, it’s going to be a battle and really the most prepared team is going to come out on top. Got to try to keep that preparation every day.”
The task is a difficult one under any circumstances, but the Knicks also will be missing Quentin Grimes who did not practice Tuesday and will not play against Memphis as he continues to work through what the team has called a sore left foot.. Obi Toppin, after turning his ankle Friday, did practice and barring some unforeseen problem is expected to be back in the rotation.
“I’m excited about our guys,” Thibodeau said. “The way they work, what Jalen has added, the growth of RJ. The versatility of Julius [Randle]. I’d say the surprise has been Mitch [Robinson]. He’s grown leaps and bounds. He’s done a terrific job. And that’s the value of having young players. They can get better.”
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
