Since being crowned the NBA Rookie of the Year in his debut season in 2021-22, young Scottie Barnes has only gotten better.
The funny, goofy and talented Barnes is the third Raptors player in history to win this award.
Even during the 2021 Summer League when he first played for the NBA, his personality was already captivating people. Raptors Rupture said you couldn’t not smile while watching him – and that was during a post-game interview.
Barnes has seen a jump in his point average from last year, from 15.3 to 19. He is directly competing with Raptors star Pascal Siakam as a shooter.
His improved shooting correlates, at least partially, with a major increase in three-point percentage. He is scoring over 10 per cent more successful three-pointers this season.
With the Raptors being one of the lower-ranking teams for three-point percentage so far, they could use someone like Barnes.
The best game for Scottie this season showcased his three-pointer skills. On Nov. 5, he scored 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists against the San Antonio Spurs. He brought them back from a 15-point deficit by the end of the third quarter, bringing the game to overtime and the Raptors to the victory. He scored five three-pointers during this game.
According to Raptors Rupture, a news and opinion site dedicated to the Raptors, head coach Darko Rajakovic said he was “blessed” to have Barnes as a player.
Further demonstrating his three-point strength, Barnes scored a successful three-pointer over Brooklyn Nets star Mikal Bridges on Nov. 28.
Scottie also has an immense talent for passing. He demonstrated this in a March 11, 2022 game against the Phoenix Suns. As Jae Crowder and Devin Booker converged on him to block a field-goal attempt, before they could block the ball, he passed it between them to a waiting Siakam without looking. Siakam then scored a two-handed slam dunk.
Showing his defensive skills, Barnes deflected a pass from Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant on Nov. 29. Durant holds the second-highest average number of points per game in the NBA so far this season – 31.4.
He has also blocked reputable players’ shots – including those of Zach LaVine, Karl-Anthony Towns, and former Raptors star DeMar DeRozan.
Because Toronto only ranks 22nd of 30 teams in blocks per game, Scottie being the top blocker for the Raptors would help them as well.
His combination of three-pointers, assists, and blocks demonstrates his versatility.
In addition to Siakam, Barnes is slowly reflecting on the legacy of the Raptors’ 2019 championship veterans, both still here and gone.
His statistics are akin to those of Kawhi Leonard during the 2018-19 season. In fact, Barnes is outperforming that season’s Leonard in rebounds, assists, and three-point percentage.
Leonard is the superior shooter, but with him being an eight-year veteran by 2019, and Scottie practically still a rookie right now, the shortfalls are no surprise.
As a 22-year-old rookie of the year, Barnes will get better. One might predict the future, and identify Barnes as an up-and-coming legend.