BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 17: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball over Jeff Teague #55 ... [+] of the Boston Celtics during a game at TD Garden on January 17, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) Getty ImagesTo the surprise of almost everyone, the New York Knicks have been competitive early in the 2020-21 NBA season. What matters most is that RJ Barrett, the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, is starting to play some good basketball for the Knicks. For an organization that is somewhat lacking in talent, it’s huge that Barrett is beginning to earn his keep. Had Barrett not made significant improvements this season, it’s likely that Knicks fans — and the harsh New York media — would have started to turn on him.

Source: Forbes January 25, 2021 14:44 UTC