RJ Barrett isn’t the New York basketball star arguing with a comedian, but he still can’t stop laughing at his own burgeoning rivalry.
While The Nets’ Kevin Durant was engaged in a high-profile feud with actor Michael Rapaport last week, two young NBA talents swapped some more traditional trash talks. With the Knicks one point behind the Timberwolves on Wednesday, Julius Randle couldn’t break away from the defense and Barrett was content with a controversial fadeaway jump shot from the elbow that fell short of the buzzer.
“RJ liked to catch it and if he had taken the shot we would have lived with it,” said Timberwolves rookie Anthony Edwards. ‘Because that’s who we wanted to shoot. We didn’t want anyone else to take it. “
Barrett first focused on Edwards’ dig at him on Monday, following the Knicks shooting before facing the Nets.
“I’ve seen it,” Barrett said after a laugh to express his disbelief. “I laughed. I don’t really care.”
Barrett, a rare Twitter user, informed the world that he saw Edwards’s comment just hours after the game ended. He responded with a smiling emoji underneath a video from Edwards’ television interview.
“I thought it was funny,” said Barrett. You’re right: I don’t usually tweet. I don’t know what it was with this one. I just felt like this was a good scenario to laugh about. “
What was it? It seems this drawbar has stuck with him more than he cares to admit.
Barrett, 20, was the # 3 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft after growing up in Canada, playing basketball in Florida high school and starring at Duke. Edwards, 19, was the # 1 pick in the 2020 Draft after growing up in Georgia playing his high school and college ball at home. It’s unclear if there is a history between the two of crossing paths on the AAU or recruiting circuits.
Barrett improved as a shooter in his second season with the Knicks. It hits 44.4 percent from the floor and 34.9 percent from the 3-point range, versus 40.2 percent and 32 percent, respectively. In the clutch – the last five minutes of games where the point difference is five or less – Barrett shoots 42.1 percent on Edwards ’41, 9 percent.
The Knicks and Timberwolves will not meet again this season, but Barrett manages to be the last to make Edwards laugh: make the last second.
“Oh, I’m confident,” Barrett said, again to make sure his laughter could be heard. “I can’t wait for the next one.”