NBA

RJ Barrett is showing that he, not Zion Williamson, was the right pick for New York Knicks in 2019

RJ Barrett is showing that he, not Zion Williamson, was right pick for New York Knicks in 2019.

On Saturday night, the New York Knicks headed to the Big Easy down in New Orleans to take on the New Orleans Pelicans in what should have been a battle of former Duke teammates.

There was only one active for the game in RJ Barrett, who was the third overall pick for the New York Knicks in the 2019 NBA Draft. Zion Williamson was the number one pick for the Pelicans and he was on the sidelines for the bame game.

Williamson watched his former Duke teammate cut up his teammates in a 123-117 victory for the Knicks, sending them to 5-1 on the season. With Williamson on the sidelines, New Orleans is now 1-6.

Through three seasons, Williamson has played in a total of 85 games and missed 76 games through that time, including the first seven.

Meanwhile, Barrett continues to not only improve for the Knicks, but had his biggest game thus far in the road victory. Barrett had 35 points with eight rebounds and six assists.

Even if Zion tries to force his way to New York given how much he loves New York and wants out of New Orleans, he can stay there with the injuries and the overweight issues.

The Knicks had it right all along with Barrett and he is getting a chance to shine on the court while Zion remains wasting away on the bench.

About the author

Doug Rush

Doug Rush is entering his 18th season as a writer. His career dates back to when he was with The Asbury Park Press covering high school football, The Harlem Globetrotters and The Lakewood Blueclaws.


In 2009, he joined Bleacher Report, covering the New York Yankees and New York Giants, amassing over 2 million reader views.


After 2013, he left B/R to join Sports Media 101 to cover the Yankees and Giants. While with Sports Media 101, Rush was named to the Pro Football Writers Association of America. He was there until July of 2016.

In January of 2018, Rush joined USA Today as part of the Giants Wire staff to cover the Giants. He is still currently with them, as he does weekly analysis for them during the season.


In September of 2021, Rush joined Pro Sports Extra, where he will be covering MLB, the NFL, NBA, WWE and AEW.


Doug is from Toms River, New Jersey where he has two children, Carson and Peyton.