RJ Barrett is already winning Knicks press conferences

What’s that you say? The media pressure will be too much for R.J. Barrett in New York?

Honestly, I don’t think anyone really said that, but it’s been thrown around ahead of the NBA draft and free agency that the pressure cooker of New York might be too much for certain stars to take if they join the franchise.

Yet Barrett is already proving how to handle the media, and that’s true for any city. On Friday morning, the first question he was asked was about shouldering the load for the Knicks as the No. 3 overall pick. Barrett’s answer couldn’t have been better:

First question RJ Barrett is asked at his introductory Knicks press conference: “Do you have big enough shoulders to carry this franchise?”

Welcome to New York, kid. pic.twitter.com/mXUDK38eXM

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) June 21, 2019

On Thursday night, he answered a question in French (!) and then said, “That was nice, wasn’t it?”

RJ Barrett is hilarious lmao 🤣. Watch the whole clip #knicks #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/dhL1DiIgiC

— Just Knickin' it (@SplashMelo) June 21, 2019

So far, so good.

RJ Barrett’s message to New Yorkers/Knicks fans: “I’m here. I love you. Let’s try to get back to that championship way.”

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 21, 2019