LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 07: Josh Hart (L) #12 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the United States talk on the court before a 2023 FIBA World Cup exhibition game against Puerto Rico at T-Mobile Arena on August 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States defeated Puerto Rico 117-74. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
3 Positive outcomes Knicks fans should be rooting for at World Cup
RJ Barrett, New York Knicks. (Photo by Rich Storry/USA TODAY Sports)
2: RJ Barrett will continue to progress with Team Canada
RJ Barrett had an inconsistent regular season after signing a four-year extension with the Knicks last summer, but he stepped up after a few playoff games. He averaged 19.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in the postseason, shooting 43.3% from the field and 32.8% from three.
He’s part of an impressive Team Canada roster that includes Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Barrett looked solid in Canada’s first exhibition outing against Germany, an 86-81 loss. He scored the second-highest points for Canada with 12.
Since being drafted No. 3 by the Knicks in 2019, Barrett has gotten off to a slow start at the beginning of each season. If he can build off his success in the 2023 playoffs with Canada, perhaps Barrett can start the 2023-24 season strong. That’d be a welcomed change.
At this rate, New York fans would be happy to see Barrett solidify himself as the third-best player on the team behind Brunson and Randle. He’s only 23, so there’s still plenty of time for Barrett to develop into the player fans thought he’d be.
