We love what we see from Barrett so far, but letвЂ™s pump the brakes. Forgive the cross-sport reference, but the 2008 Detroit Lions went 4-0 during the preseason, only to finish the regular season with an 0-16 record. Overreacting to preseason games is fun, but itвЂ™s unwise. Two preseason games against the lowly Pistons isnвЂ™t proof that heвЂ™s poised for a breakout season.

In all likelihood, RJ Barrett will not be an All-Star in 2021. The second-year wing appears poised to make a statement after being disrespected. The Knicks asked Barrett to be the second option on a team that finished 27th in three-point percentage. It was good to have an extra chip on my shoulder and just prove myself even more.вЂќД«arrettвЂ™s shooting splits (.402/.320/.614) are the likely reason for his snub, but none of the other three guys mentioned had to shoulder the same kind of offensive load. But it was motivation, motivation for next season. I really donвЂ™t understand why I wasnвЂ™t on it. вЂњIt bothered me a lot,вЂќ Barrett said in training camp.В вЂњNot going to lie. Despite putting up solid stats, Barrett was left off of the NBAвЂ™s All-Rookie teams in favor of guys like Terence Davis, P.J. The former third-overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft has a massive chip on his shoulder coming into year two. If you believe that spite can act as a powerful motivator, Barrett has all the ammo he needs to make the All-Star Game as a 20-year-old. Could he be an All-Star in 2021? If he averages 20+ points per game and has the Knicks competing in the Eastern Conference, itвЂ™s certainly possible. That leaves Barrett as the most logical star to build around on the roster.ДЄlthough the 2021 All-Star Game has already been canceled, we still expect the NBA to select All-Star teams. Even Obi Toppin, the KnicksвЂ™ most recent lottery pick, is a bit of an unknown after slipping in a weak draft. Mitchell Robinson is a tantalizing young big with the talent to be a top center in the NBA, but heвЂ™s not a franchise player. Julius Randle is the high-priced вЂњstarвЂќ on the roster, but he might not be on the Knicks after this year (or even the trade deadline). If the Knicks are going to punch above their weight this season, Barrett needs to be the guy who emerges as the top dog. HeвЂ™s a budding star for a team that is in desperate need of a bonafide alpha. For all the emphasis on threes, the mid-range still needs to be part of any superstar wingвЂ™s arsenal. Since that 0-for-6 start, Barrett has connected on 17 of 24 shots (70.8%).ДЄlthough the three-point shot is clearly still a work-in-progress (1-for-9), Barrett has had no issue at the rim and in the mid-range. The Canadian-born wing started off the preseason by going 0-for-6 from the floor, but he was able to shake off the rust in the blink of an eye. Dare I say it - Barrett looks like he might be an All-Star as soon as this season.Д«arrett, 20, led all scorers in both games and did so efficiently.

RJ Barrett looked phenomenal in the two preseason games the New York Knicks played against the Detroit Pistons. LetвЂ™s set the stage early because itвЂ™s important to remember what games we are talking about right now.

RJ Barrett looked like an All-Star in two games against the Detroit Pistons, but preseason overreactions are a slippery slope.

Rj barrett stats