{"id":151624,"date":"2021-01-11T09:07:15","date_gmt":"2021-01-11T06:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/rj-barrett-may-not-be-able-to-handle-heavy-knicks-workload\/"},"modified":"2021-01-11T09:07:15","modified_gmt":"2021-01-11T06:07:15","slug":"rj-barrett-may-not-be-able-to-handle-heavy-knicks-workload","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/rj-barrett-may-not-be-able-to-handle-heavy-knicks-workload\/","title":{"rendered":"#RJ Barrett may not be able to handle heavy Knicks workload"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#RJ Barrett may not be able to handle heavy Knicks workload<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

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RJ Barrett and Julius Randle lead the NBA as a 1-2 punch in one category.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not in scoring but minutes per game<\/a>. RJ Barrett, after playing 44 in the Knicks\u2019 loss to Oklahoma City on Friday, entered Sunday\u2019s 114-89 loss to Denver averaging 38.8 minutes. Randle was close behind at 37.7.<\/p>\n

Nothing changed against the Nuggets except coach Tom Thibodeau throwing in the towel in the fourth quarter. But the load is taking a toll on Barrett, who labored through a second straight poor outing \u2014 scoring nine points with three turnovers, shooting 4 of 13.<\/p>\n

Barrett logged just 33 minutes as Thibodeau wisely yanked him midway through the fourth to save him for Charlotte on Monday.<\/p>\n

Thibodeau\u2019s lone alleged fault as a head coach is having a reputation for going too hard on his important players and wearing them down for the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Taj Gibson\u2019s arrival certainly will ease the minutes burden on Randle, but he won\u2019t join the team until Wednesday versus the Nets at the earliest. Amid COVID-19 protocols, Gibson is not with the team yet.<\/p>\n

Thibodeau is only mildly concerned about the high minutes.<\/p>\n

\"Knicks\"
RJ Barrett drives to the basket for the Knicks.<\/figcaption>
Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot that goes into pacing a team,\u2019\u2019 Thibodeau said before Sunday\u2019s blowout loss. \u201cYou do it in practice. They\u2019re both young guys. We\u2019re shorthanded. Over the course of the season, I think you\u2019ll see their minutes will be in line. I think they can handle what they\u2019re getting so far.\u201d<\/p>\n

At age 19, Barrett played 31 minutes per game as a rookie . Former coach David Fizdale was asked early in Barrett\u2019s rookie season if he were worried about giving a 19-year-old too many minutes. But Barrett remained sturdy and mostly injury free \u2014 save one ankle sprain.<\/p>\n

Barrett had a tired-looking game versus the Thunder in which he shot 7 of 21.<\/p>\n

\u201cI go out there and I play,\u2019\u2019 Barrett said about leading the NBA in minutes. \u201cIt\u2019s my job. As long as coach wants me out there on the floor I\u2019m happ<\/a>y to be out there. I want to contribute any way that I can.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Thibodeau is hoping even if Barrett\u2019s shot is off, he\u2019s not shortchanging other departments.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo have the understanding you can play well if you don\u2019t shoot well,\u2019\u2019 Thibodeau said. \u201cThe objective is to win. So don\u2019t get mired in any personal dilemma if it\u2019s not going well\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Randle\u2019s workload has increased partly due to rookie lottery-pick Obi Toppin being out since the season opener with a calf strain. And Randle is holding up well with another efficient 29 points, 10 rebounds and five assists Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust got to do the extra things,\u2019\u2019 Randle said. \u201cThe things to take care of my body and making sure I\u2019m feeling fresh game to game. Today I felt great.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

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