With a big contract extension and additional fire-power in the backcourt, Knicks youngster RJ Barrett is all out of excuses for the 2022-23 season.
After years of teetering on the edge of stardom, fans and experts are eager to see him live up to the hype — and up to the $120 million, he is set to make over the next four years.
With this in mind, Knicks fans might be glad to hear some of Barrett’s latest statements, in which he seems to embrace playing a larger role for the team going forward.
RJ Barrett Sends Warning To The NBA Ahead of 2022-23 Season
In a chat with reporters during NBA Media Day, RJ got real on his expectations and promised that he was going to lead the club to some success this season.
“There is definitely extra motivation,” Barrett said. “Getting to taste what the playoffs are like and then falling short there, to not end up where we wanted to last year, I think this year we are coming with even more experience. Even more hungry. A lot of guys that have something to prove… myself included. I got everything to prove. We are really coming with that mindset. We’re gonna shock the world.”
RJ Barrett shares how the past couple of seasons will be a motivator for this upcoming season:
"I really think we're gonna shock the world" pic.twitter.com/j8OioDvt5l
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) September 26, 2022
The Knicks whiffed on all the high-profile players this season. Instead of signing Kevin Durant or Donovan Mitchell, they had to settle for Jalen Brunson, who has yet to make an All-Star team in his young career.
As for Barrett, the Knicks will be depending on his growth and development as a player to have a successful season. And after signing him to a massive extension this summer, it’s clear that they believe he can take the next step.
“It feels pretty good,” said Barrett on his new contract. “I feel honored and blessed. This is a place where I wanted to be. I was happy they first drafted me and now with the extension, to be here four more years, will be great and I’m just excited to get to work. I love New York. My mom grew up in New York and this is kind of like home to me… I’ll always remember that first playoff game we had and how loud it was. A thing I’ll never forget and hope to get more of that.”
Obviously, RJ still has a lot to prove. He has shown flashes before of who he could be and what he can do, but he’ll have to be consistent and bring his best self every single game if he wants to honor that contract and make good on his promise to shock the world.
For the Knicks, they just hope that Barrett can live up to his potential and carry them to a state of contention in the Eastern Conference.
