Great write up. I was so happy for RJ. There are times when he does look like a long-term piece for this team and last night was one of them, in possibly the biggest game of his career so far. I’ve always said that the thing that can make RJ special is his playmaking. If he can learn to lean into moving the ball... this team can ascend to another level.
Two newsletters in one day-phenomenal job, Jonathan! Thank you for your efforts!
I knew RJ would come up big in at least one of the two games this weekend at MSG. Anticipating a big effort from Randle tomorrow (provided he’s truly healthy). Expect a desperate Cleveland team tomorrow though-Knickerbockers beware.
Finishing his 4th year, RJ is still the youngest player in the rotation in a grown man’s league. A lot of good mixed with a lot of areas needing improvement. He is expected to be a scorer. He was not efficient but he scored the 39th most points in the league this year. More than a lot of bigger names who couldn’t stay on the court (KD, Kawhi, PG) He was dangled in trade rumors over the summer and had his role jerked around but he was mature enough to handle the NY media heat unlike KD / Kyrie and better than Julius. I think playing with SGA and other stars on the Canadian national team this summer will be good for his development.
It’s fair to criticize the poor performances but I think the KFS fan base negativity was overdone. I hope Leon will be patient for a couple more years. As great as Mitch is on the offensive glass, I would love to see RJ play with a stretch 5 like Myles Turner. I think he could live at the rim.
Don’t get the Deuce comments. We are having trouble scoring against the Cavs and Deuce is a defensive player who kills us on offense. I would rather just shrink the rotation.
RJ definitely generates an outsized amount of negativity when he's playing poorly, I think for a variety of reasons. Game 3 will go a long way to silencing a lot of that because its easily the most meaningful game of his career and can't be taken away from him.
Let’s see if RJ can put two good games together consecutively. And I don’t think it is simply RJ “negativity. For four years, RJ has been one of the most inefficient players in the league. Those are the stats. That’s not people “hating on him.”
I think most Knick fans, including me, would absolutely love to see him turn that around and just be in the middle of the pack from an efficiency perspective. RJ doesn’t need to be at the top of the league, although it would be nice.
RJ is homegrown, he’s got a great work ethic, and is a powerful presence. And frankly, I’d he can put two strong performances together back-to-back, he could lose some of the criticism and gain what every athlete wants to be known as, and that’s clutch. A playoff performer. A “winning” player. Here’s hoping that happens today.
Great comment. True Knicks fans are rooting for every player to play up to their capabilities to help the team win. It’s not about hating on anyone. As you write, RJ objectively has been inefficient for the majority of a four-year career, often even within games. He was terrific in Game 3. Keep it going. We are rooting for it, and most importantly, the NYK.
Great write up. I was so happy for RJ. There are times when he does look like a long-term piece for this team and last night was one of them, in possibly the biggest game of his career so far. I’ve always said that the thing that can make RJ special is his playmaking. If he can learn to lean into moving the ball... this team can ascend to another level.
Also KFS is killing the post season! Keep up the great work!!
Two newsletters in one day-phenomenal job, Jonathan! Thank you for your efforts!
I knew RJ would come up big in at least one of the two games this weekend at MSG. Anticipating a big effort from Randle tomorrow (provided he’s truly healthy). Expect a desperate Cleveland team tomorrow though-Knickerbockers beware.
Thanks Harris, glad you enjoyed!
Made my day Jonathan! Two newsletters in one day after an amazing win!
Glad to hear it! You made mine!!
🧡💙
Great mea culpa after a great night by RJ.
Finishing his 4th year, RJ is still the youngest player in the rotation in a grown man’s league. A lot of good mixed with a lot of areas needing improvement. He is expected to be a scorer. He was not efficient but he scored the 39th most points in the league this year. More than a lot of bigger names who couldn’t stay on the court (KD, Kawhi, PG) He was dangled in trade rumors over the summer and had his role jerked around but he was mature enough to handle the NY media heat unlike KD / Kyrie and better than Julius. I think playing with SGA and other stars on the Canadian national team this summer will be good for his development.
It’s fair to criticize the poor performances but I think the KFS fan base negativity was overdone. I hope Leon will be patient for a couple more years. As great as Mitch is on the offensive glass, I would love to see RJ play with a stretch 5 like Myles Turner. I think he could live at the rim.
Don’t get the Deuce comments. We are having trouble scoring against the Cavs and Deuce is a defensive player who kills us on offense. I would rather just shrink the rotation.
RJ definitely generates an outsized amount of negativity when he's playing poorly, I think for a variety of reasons. Game 3 will go a long way to silencing a lot of that because its easily the most meaningful game of his career and can't be taken away from him.
Let’s see if RJ can put two good games together consecutively. And I don’t think it is simply RJ “negativity. For four years, RJ has been one of the most inefficient players in the league. Those are the stats. That’s not people “hating on him.”
I think most Knick fans, including me, would absolutely love to see him turn that around and just be in the middle of the pack from an efficiency perspective. RJ doesn’t need to be at the top of the league, although it would be nice.
RJ is homegrown, he’s got a great work ethic, and is a powerful presence. And frankly, I’d he can put two strong performances together back-to-back, he could lose some of the criticism and gain what every athlete wants to be known as, and that’s clutch. A playoff performer. A “winning” player. Here’s hoping that happens today.
All is forgiven RJ. You can claim the moniker of clutch player!
Great comment. True Knicks fans are rooting for every player to play up to their capabilities to help the team win. It’s not about hating on anyone. As you write, RJ objectively has been inefficient for the majority of a four-year career, often even within games. He was terrific in Game 3. Keep it going. We are rooting for it, and most importantly, the NYK.