Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl recently spoke about how he’s seen RJ Barrett’s game mature through the years as both an opponent and a teammate (averaging 21.6 PPG/6.5 RPG/5.7 APG/0.8 SPG/47.2% FG/36.1% 3-PT/64.9% FT in 51 games played).
*career-highs in PPG, RPG, and APG*
(via Toronto Raptors):
“He’s been working very hard. I think the two things I’ve noticed the most is how much he’s improved as a finisher and shooter. I remember rookie RJ was very predictable. He was always very skilled and athletic and stuff like that, but his finishing skillsets was very predictable, at least for me. The way he’s been shooting it this year has been really impressive and the way he’s bought into the defense. I think he was one of those guys that you knew he could play defense, but you could tell it wasn’t the first thing on his mind. And now you can really see a shift in that where you see him out there being the aggressor on defense, which I don’t know… I can’t claim all the Knicks games in the past where RJ has played in, but I don’t remember that same type of energy and intensity on defense. So, I think those are some major improvements on his part.”
