Scottie Barnes Can Do A Little Of Everything For The Raptors


When the Toronto Raptors selected Scottie Barnes as their fourth pick in the 2021 NBA draft, some people in the emerging basketball world they muscles. Considered one of the no-miss candidates, Jalen Suggs was still on the board.

After a regular season, the Raptors look forward looking. Barnes, 20, is a top contender for the Rookie of the Year Award. It drew comparisons to Vince Carter and Damon Stoudamire, two Raptors named rookie of the year.

“I’ve never actually been to Toronto,” Barnes told The New York Times recently. “I never even thought of being in Toronto. It was never a thought in my mind. It’s not as different as I thought. The only thing different is the weather, because I’m from Florida.”

At its best, the 6-foot-9 Barnes is an all-round dynamo similar to Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, but with far less refined gameplay. Barnes this season Launched all 74 games He averaged 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game with 49.2 percent shooting accuracy. In the blink of an eye, he can speed up the ball court as a semi quarterback. In the other, he attacks the hoop for thunderous dunks. Raptors Coach Nick Nurse had Barnes defending top players, including Kevin Durant and Luka Doncic.

Now, it’s key to Toronto’s hopes of winning the championship. General Manager Bobby Webster said the Raptors fit the mold of players who helped them win the franchise’s first title in 2019.

“It’s really versatile, it’s very difficult to fit a lot into power forwards,” he said. “And if they hit, they can be really valuable and productive players.”

The question mark for Barnes is his long-range shooting. He hit just 30.1 percent of his three-pointers in the regular season, and even that was an improvement in his lone year at Florida State University. hit 27.5 percent from 3

Growing up in West Palm Beach, Fla., Barnes helped the Raptors finish fifth in the Eastern Conference and match the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. During 1st game saturday, Barnes was tasked with trying to contain James Harden, but left the game with an ankle injury and appeared in Game 2 on Monday. Toronto missed out on Barnes’ defense and energy and fell 0-2 in the series in a 112-97 defeat. Game 3 is Wednesday and it’s unclear if Barnes will be able to play.

In an interview with The Times before the playoffs, Barnes discussed a strong start to his career, his level of self-confidence, and his Rookie of the Year Award campaign.

This interview has been shortened and edited for clarity.

It was pretty surprising back then that the Raptors picked you 4th in the draft. What went through your mind when your name was announced?

Even through the entire preparation process, I really went in with no expectations. Really, without a care. I wasn’t really worried about things I couldn’t control. So I really went there and everywhere I went it was just me. That’s why I was really excited when they said my name, I was really happy. I didn’t really know what to expect so I didn’t really have any expectations. So I was just a huge burst of excitement.

What do you remember about your pre-draft conversations with Raptors president Masai Ujiri?

He’s a big guy when it comes to winning. Just win, win, win. I mean, I’m a big guy when it comes to winning, too. I mean, really, like, we both really had a common mind.

What was the hardest thing about jumping into the NBA so far?

Either traveling a lot or just adjusting to the referees and how they really call the game.

What do you like to do when you have free time?

Just relax in the bassinet and play video games.

What are you playing right now?

Play NBA 2K. Call of Duty. Fortnite.

When you play 2K, are you playing as the Raptors?

I don’t really play as a team. I usually play create a player mode.

What was your favorite moment of the regular season?

So one of our favorite games we played this year was probably with the Brooklyn Nets. NE [Kevin Durant] and James [Harden]. I think it was at their house but we lost. But it was an interesting game. There was a lot of nonsense talk going on. So it became more fun. There was bullshit and we were bullshit and that was great. It was going down to the wires, going back and forth. But I can say that it is a great game.

Do you talk nonsense on the floor?

Sometimes. Not that much, but I’ll just do it sometimes. But I won’t say too much here.

LeBron James said he was watching you play in seventh grade. Did you know until I said this recently?

I don’t remember saying that. Sounds great but I know you’re watching me when I play with the son of Zaire – Dwyane Wade in 10th or 9th grade. He and Dwyane Wade were watching our games on the sidelines. I hit the winner of a match and applauded him and D-Wade. I was excited and went to the sideline and cut off D-Wade and Bron’s hand after the game because I just rang the bell. But seeing these guys say things like that about me shows that people see the potential of what I can do in me.

Were you one of the popular kids in school? What did you like?

I’ve always been an extroverted kid. I’m not saying I was very popular but, you know, I had that core, that little vibe.. I was a very talkative, very energetic child. So I can say that I have many friends. I was always one of those funny kids in class.

There are many comparisons between your influence as a rookie and the influence of Vince Carter and Damon Stoudamire. Have you ever spoken to Vince Carter?

Actually I did. I saw him at one of our games this year and went to him. I said what’s up?” We really couldn’t talk that much. I actually saw Damon Stoudamire at the mall in Boston and we had a little chat. He went over to her. I recognized him. And I started talking to him.

What impact do you hope to make in the league?

In this league, of course, I can say that I want to win the rookie of the year award this year. Be in the All-Defense team multiple times. Become the MVP of the Future Become the MVP of the Finals Become a multiple-time finals NBA champion. Of course, become an All-Star multiple times. Really, leave that legacy. I’m a great all-round player.

Is there anything among the other nominees that makes you rookie of the year?

He’s really doing very different things and being an all-round player who has had a huge impact on how our team really wins basketball games.



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