RJ Barrett on being traded to Toronto: I was so confused, I didn't see it coming
RJ Barrett went from sleepy to very alert when he woke up to a phone call from his agent Bill Duffy on Dec. 30. To Barrett’s surprise, the New York Knicks traded him, but the “special” news for the Canadian was being dealt to his hometown Toronto Raptors. “I had no clue. I just got the call when it happened. I was like, ‘What is going on?’ ” Barrett told Andscape recently. “I was so confused. I didn’t see it coming. When he told me the Raptors, I was like, ‘OK, at least I’m coming home.’ ”
Source: Marc J. Spears @ Andscape
Source: Marc J. Spears @ Andscape
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Toronto #Raptors forward RJ Barrett is home after trade from New York #Knicks. The Toronto native wants to show other Canadian kids they can make it to the NBA. Story in @andscape. bit.ly/48JLfIh – 11:53 AM
Toronto #Raptors forward RJ Barrett is home after trade from New York #Knicks. The Toronto native wants to show other Canadian kids they can make it to the NBA. Story in @andscape. bit.ly/48JLfIh – 11:53 AM
Aaron Rose @AaronBenRose
Toronto’s USG% rankings over the last four games:
1. RJ Barrett (24%)
2. Immanuel Quickley (22.5%)
3. Pascal Siakam (21.7%)
4. Scottie Barnes (21.2%)
5. Gary Trent Jr. (17%) – 9:30 AM
Toronto’s USG% rankings over the last four games:
1. RJ Barrett (24%)
2. Immanuel Quickley (22.5%)
3. Pascal Siakam (21.7%)
4. Scottie Barnes (21.2%)
5. Gary Trent Jr. (17%) – 9:30 AM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
After posting one of the best games of his career in just his fourth game with his new team, RJ Barrett said his Raptors goals are simple: “I’m just trying to help” — sportsnet.ca/nba/article/re… – 9:18 AM
After posting one of the best games of his career in just his fourth game with his new team, RJ Barrett said his Raptors goals are simple: “I’m just trying to help” — sportsnet.ca/nba/article/re… – 9:18 AM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
“I’m just trying to help” — RJ Barrett after 37 points vs. Warriors. pic.twitter.com/Z13SsPa4Af – 11:35 PM
“I’m just trying to help” — RJ Barrett after 37 points vs. Warriors. pic.twitter.com/Z13SsPa4Af – 11:35 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
RJ Barrett torched the Warriors on their home floor 🔥 pic.twitter.com/efgpg1AfOd – 10:50 PM
RJ Barrett torched the Warriors on their home floor 🔥 pic.twitter.com/efgpg1AfOd – 10:50 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
RJ Barrett was COOKING in the Raptors’ win vs. the Warriors 😤
37 PTS
13-20 FG
6 REB
6 AST pic.twitter.com/5AjbWc2z7e – 10:46 PM
RJ Barrett was COOKING in the Raptors’ win vs. the Warriors 😤
37 PTS13-20 FG6 REB6 AST pic.twitter.com/5AjbWc2z7e – 10:46 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
RJ Barrett tonight:
37 PTS
6 REB
6 AST
5 3PM
0 TOV
Joins Luka as the only players with a 35/5/5 game with 5+ threes and 0 turnovers this season. pic.twitter.com/k7D0d6xH1Y – 10:41 PM
RJ Barrett tonight:
37 PTS
6 REB
6 AST
5 3PM
0 TOV
Joins Luka as the only players with a 35/5/5 game with 5+ threes and 0 turnovers this season. pic.twitter.com/k7D0d6xH1Y – 10:41 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
With the Raptors up big, Barrett’s night is done. He finishes with 37 points, 2nd-most by a Canadian in Raptors history.
Chris Boucher: 38 (Apr. 8, 2021)
RJ Barrett: 37 (Jan 7, 2024)
Cory Joseph: 33 (Jan. 17, 2017) – 10:38 PM
With the Raptors up big, Barrett’s night is done. He finishes with 37 points, 2nd-most by a Canadian in Raptors history.
Chris Boucher: 38 (Apr. 8, 2021)
RJ Barrett: 37 (Jan 7, 2024)
Cory Joseph: 33 (Jan. 17, 2017) – 10:38 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
They said he wasn’t efficient. They questioned his decision making. RJ Barrett’s 33-point (and counting) performance is impressive. What’s more impressive is how he’s doing it: 11-15 FG/5-6 3P/6-8 FT with 6 assists and 0 turnovers in 30 minutes. – 10:25 PM
They said he wasn’t efficient. They questioned his decision making. RJ Barrett’s 33-point (and counting) performance is impressive. What’s more impressive is how he’s doing it: 11-15 FG/5-6 3P/6-8 FT with 6 assists and 0 turnovers in 30 minutes. – 10:25 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
RJ Barrett from 3-point range in his final 9 games as a Knick: 9-for-41
Barrett from 3 in his first 3.5 games as a Raptor: 10-for-17 – 9:33 PM
RJ Barrett from 3-point range in his final 9 games as a Knick: 9-for-41
Barrett from 3 in his first 3.5 games as a Raptor: 10-for-17 – 9:33 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
I’m not going to look this up — apologies to Cory Joseph and Khem Birch and Dalano Banton & the rest — I think RJ Barrett now holds the Raptors record for most points in a half by a Canadian. He’s at 26 on 10-of-13 shooting and 5-of-6 from three as Raptors lead Warriors 76-49. – 9:33 PM
I’m not going to look this up — apologies to Cory Joseph and Khem Birch and Dalano Banton & the rest — I think RJ Barrett now holds the Raptors record for most points in a half by a Canadian. He’s at 26 on 10-of-13 shooting and 5-of-6 from three as Raptors lead Warriors 76-49. – 9:33 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
RJ Barrett looking comfortable so far as a Raptor, no? He’s up to 17 points in nine minutes vs Dubs has made all three of his threes and is now 8/14 from deep as a Raptor. Toronto leads 46-33. – 9:17 PM
RJ Barrett looking comfortable so far as a Raptor, no? He’s up to 17 points in nine minutes vs Dubs has made all three of his threes and is now 8/14 from deep as a Raptor. Toronto leads 46-33. – 9:17 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Through 16 minutes, RJ Barrett has as many points as the entire Warriors starting lineup (17).
Barrett: 17 points on 7-8 FG (3-3 3P) in 9 minutes. – 9:17 PM
Through 16 minutes, RJ Barrett has as many points as the entire Warriors starting lineup (17).
Barrett: 17 points on 7-8 FG (3-3 3P) in 9 minutes. – 9:17 PM
More on this storyline
Looking back, Barrett is proud of what he did in a Knicks uniform. “I helped build something in New York,” Barrett said. “When I came there we weren’t good. I left it a lot better than when it started. Definitely bittersweet, but I’m happy for those guys over there. They are happy about the trade they made and I wish nothing but the best for them. “I grew up as a player and a person over there in New York. Those 4½ years, I will never forget.” -via Andscape / January 9, 2024
On Jan. 1, Barrett played his first home game with the Raptors. The sellout crowd of 19,800 applauded loudly and some spectators gave him a standing ovation when he was introduced in the starting lineup for the first time. Barrett had 19 points and nine rebounds during the Raptors’ 124-121 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Barrett described that game as the most special one he ever played in Toronto. “We had the ovation for the starting lineups and everyone was cheering. I was like, ‘Yeah. I am home for sure,’ ” Barrett said. -via Andscape / January 9, 2024
He appears more comfortable inside the Knicks’ reconstructed offense, which includes more cutting and spacing, thanks to the addition of Anunoby, a superior off-ball mover and shooter to his predecessor, RJ Barrett. “It’s helped a lot, not only because (Anunoby) is a really good catch-and-shoot guy but just his understanding on spacing, timing, when to cut, when to flash to the ball, all different types of things,” Randle said. “He just has a good feel for where to be and when.” -via The Athletic / January 8, 2024