FIBA

Knicks: RJ Barrett and Canada’s Olympics hopes end in heartbreaking OT loss

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New York Knicks wingman RJ Barrett played his best game in the tournament but it was not enough for Canada.

Barrett scattered team-highs 23 points and six assists to help Canada forced overtime after trailing by nine points late in regulation. But the Czech Republic recovered and proved steadier down the stretch banking on Tomas Satoransky’s heroics that ended Canada’s Olympics hopes.

The Czech Republic advanced to the finals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Victoria, B.C. in Canada with a gut-wrenching 103-101 win Saturday after Satoransky hit a banked shot with 1.8 seconds left in overtime.

The Czech Republic was in control for most of the match behind their crisp ball movement (24 assists) and outside shooting (13-28 3s). They looked headed to a comfortable victory after Satoransky hit a pair of free throws that extended their lead to nine, 94-85, with 44.7 seconds remaining.

But Barrett just wouldn’t give up. He keyed a 9-0 Canada closing run in the regulation with a stepback three-pointer.

Then Andrew Wiggins punctuated that run with a three-pointer off a steal to extend the game for five more minutes.

Canada opened the overtime with a five-point lead, 99-94, behind Barrett’s big plays. The Knicks wingman assisted Nickeil Alexander-Walker for a wide-open three-pointer then he followed up with a beautiful spin move and drew a foul.

But Barrett missed the bonus shot and things began to unravel. The Czech Republic stormed back and took the lead on a wide-open Blake Schilb three-pointer, 101-99, with 49 seconds left.

During that stretch, Barrett missed a three-pointer and a floater that could have extended Canda’s lead to three. Instead, Schilb, who led the Czechs with 31 points, hit the go-ahead three-pointer.

Wiggins tied the game with a short stab before Satoransky hit the game-winner over the outstretched arms of Oklahoma City Thunder’s defensive stalwart Lu Dort.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Canada who came into this game with back-to-back victories over Greece and China.

Barrett ended the tournament with all-around numbers of 20.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists with a shooting split of 49/32/55.

He was Canada’s second-leading scorer behind Wiggins’ 21.7 points and was tied with Cory Joseph as the team’s assists leader.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Knicks’ RJ Barrett powers Canada over Greece, Rick Pitino left impressed

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new york knicks, rj barrett

RJ Barrett led Canada’s big second-half surge to open their Olympic quest with a 97-91 win over Greece Tuesday in Victoria, B.C.

The New York Knicks’ vastly improved wing poured 19 points in the second half, including 12 in the final quarter.

A Barrett three-point play with 4:22 left gave the Canadians a 12-point spread, 91-79. But the hard-fighting Greeks who missed Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo came within four with under a minute left.

Barrett hit two clutch free throws with 34.5 seconds left that sealed their opening victory in one of the four Olympic Qualifiers.

Barrett, who celebrated his 21st birthday in quarantine while training for this tournament, finished with 22 points. He shot 8-of-14 from the field though he missed five of six three-point attempts. A much-improved free throw shooter this season in the NBA, Barrett went 5-for-7 from the line. He also had five rebounds and three assists in almost 30 minutes of play.

Rick Pitino, a former Knicks coach who is now mentoring the Greeks’ Olympics quest, was left impressed.

“RJ Barrett in college couldn’t really shoot a 12-foot shot and I absolutely love players that work at their game and get better… I’m obviously a big Knicks fan so I’m a big RJ fan, but the fact that he’s improved so much is amazing to me,” Pitino said in the postgame, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports.

Barrett was tentative in the first half, feeling his way with this newly-formed Canadian team filled with NBA players.

Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins led all scorers with 23 points while New Orleans Pelicans’ guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 18, doing most of the damage in the first half.

Barrett took over in the second half repeatedly attacking the rim.

“It was kind of everywhere, but we did a good job of figuring it out,” Barrett said.

Five Greeks scored in double figures led by Konstantinos Mitoglou but it was not enough. Kostas Antetokounmpo, Giannis’ younger brother who is a two-way player for the Los Angeles Lakers, scored four points in limited action off the bench.

Barrett will try to lead Canada to a sweep of their group against China tomorrow to advance to the semifinals.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

New York Knicks: The state of Frank Ntilikina

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New York Knicks, Frnak Ntilikina

Frank Ntilikina has been a big topic of conversation for the New York Knicks.  He has been in-between positions his entire NBA career and has not given a real chance.

Recently, Ntilikina has participating in the FIBA World Cup basketball tournament for his home country, France.  He has received praise for his ‘skill-set’ from his coach and teammates.

In group play, Ntilikina has averaged 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.  These numbers are not stellar, but it is the type of consistency and start that Ntilikina needs.

He appears to be very comfortable in theFrance system.  Their head coach, Vincent Collet, has complimented Ntilikna on his aggressiveness and avoiding hesitation.  Collet believes in Ntilikina’s ability and it appears to be paying dividends as he trends upward.  That is what the Knicks and David Fizdale need to do.

In France’s game against Jordan, Ntilkina appeared to be very confident in his shot.  That is something that all Knicks fan want him to improve, along with his aggressiveness.  His stroke looked smooth and there was no hesitation to shoot when getting the ball.  Ntilikina was also continues to make it difficult for his opponents with his defense.

The confidence, aggressiveness and, overall, growth that Ntilkina is receiving in the FIBA World Cup is something that the Knicks can build on.  The Knicks have had trouble finding how he fits in their system.  Fizdale needs to take a look at his play throughout the tournament and coach him towards his strengths.

Every other point guard that has been in the Knicks system the last few seasons has got a legitimate shot.  Why not Ntilikina now?  He is still growing, developing, getting stronger and trying to become the NBA player that his France coach and teammates currently see.

Through the World Cup, Ntilikina needs to use the confidence he is gaining in his game towards a shot at becoming a vital role player for the Knicks.  As it seems now, all of the work he has been putting forth on his game has been paying off.

The Knicks only have until this Halloween to pick up his $6.2 million option for next season for he becomes a unrestricted free-agent.