Duke Basketball: 2019 NBA Draft profile of Blue Devil guard RJ Barrett

Weaknesses

I mentioned the doggy cone earlier, but Barrett’s hero-ball attitude during close games invoked serious frustration during his time in Durham. When the blueprint of the 2019 Blue Devil’s was laid out last summer, I’m sure RJ was supposed to be the guy. After all, he was the consensus no. 1 player in the 2018 recruiting class. Nobody could’ve predicted Zion’s emergence as an athletic supernova whose performances drew comparisons to freaking LeBron James.

That said, Barrett often played with blinders on, attacking 1-on-4 fast breaks and dismissing open Jack White and Tre Jones spot-up threes, which, who can blame him on that? Nonetheless, Barrett cost Duke several times with his assertiveness with the game in flux, often taking the shot as Zion was demoted to spectator status. I’m all for the confidence, but even elite players know when to pass the basketball in a big game. It’s how Golden State has sustained a half-decade of Finals appearances. Confidence is a key trait in a high-level basketball player, but it can’t hamper your ability to play with others. Barrett cannot afford to treat superior teammates the way he treated Zion in big moments, or he’ll watch from the bench, especially if he ends up in New York with a few other All-Stars.

Though he’s a high-volume driver with expert finishing ability, Barrett is prone to turnovers and poor decision-making in the half-court. His athleticism also seems to taper off the closer he gets to the rim. His finishing moves in college revolved around his craftiness and ability to create separation off the bounce rather than his pure athleticism. With the athletes standing bigger and taller in the NBA, Barrett’s finishing ability may diminish if he doesn’t add a few more moves around the basket.

Despite as gifted as Barrett is with the ball in his hands, to play with all-stars (which is a real possibility his rookie year if he is drafted by New York), Barrett must develop his off-ball offense. Of course, the three-point shot is the crux of becoming a reliable player without the ball, but I think there’s more opportunity for Barrett to grow as a cutter and someone who crashes the offensive glass. I already mentioned Barrett’s slash-and-kick potential, but he must show a willingness to hustle on offense when he doesn’t have the ball.

If Barrett improves his IQ with and without the ball and reveals a threatening jumper, he will unlock superstardom at the next level. But, if Barrett remains grouchy when someone else has the ball, and the shot never develops, Barrett could etch his name into the “What Could Have Been” club.