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The Toronto Raptors have flown below the radar this offseason, however that’s as a result of they’ve a franchise cornerstone in Scottie Barnes to construct round.
If you look across the NBA, and even the Jap Convention, it’s simple to see why. Gamers like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant have dominated the information cycle whereas rival groups within the East just like the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers have made trades to push themselves closer to contention.
Toronto has Barnes, which no different franchise can boast about. Coming into his second season, Barnes deservedly took house Rookie of the 12 months honors final yr and made many Orlando Magic followers wish they’d selected him over Jalen Suggs.
We all know Barnes goes to be actually good, however what does his path to being an All-Star seem like? Higher nonetheless, can Barnes attain that stage this coming yr?
What is going to it take for Scottie Barnes star to achieve All-Star standing?
Instantly, Barnes has quite a bit going for him. He’s the face of the Raptors franchise, and though some informal followers is probably not conscious of who he’s but, that proportion is dropping all the time. He’s additionally a darling of the extra hardcore followers due to his quick two-way output and clear willingness to do regardless of the Raptors wanted him to proper from his first recreation.
Barnes averaged 15.3 factors, 7.5 rebounds and three.5 assists final yr. Tremendous numbers for a teen, and Basketball Reference tasks these stats to solely get higher this coming season. Like, near All-Star stage numbers. Defensively he checks out as nicely and is already an above-average participant in that space.
In truth, he was so good final season that of rookies who performed over 30 video games, he had the third-best defensive ranking (108.4). Ziaire Williams of the Memphis Grizzlies was marginally higher (108), whereas future famous person Evan Mobley (106.8) led the pack. To be even near someone like Mobley reveals that Barnes is trending in the correct path.
Barnes is nicely on his option to being a two-way menace, though the 3-point taking pictures wants some work. Capturing 30.1 p.c from deep on roughly 2.5 makes an attempt per night time was not good, and on condition that the Raptors ranked a lowly twentieth on this class as a crew (34.9 p.c), it will likely be on Barnes to make extra of these pictures.
You will be certain he’s going to see extra of the ball, which ought to imply that his potential to search out others and maintain the ball shifting to the open man ought to enhance as nicely. This, in flip, may result in simpler appears to be like as he receives the ball again.
Studying from Raptors teammates can elevate Scottie Barnes.
Enjoying for an excellent (however not nice) crew is one other key part to Barnes making an All-Star crew sooner quite than later. Former All-Stars Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam are two wonderful teammates to have alongside him. In truth, Barnes assisted Siakam essentially the most instances final yr (48) in probabilities that led to made baskets.
Barnes can profit quite a bit from having Siakam impacting the sport on each ends, however has the next ceiling that he can attain as soon as he has finished this. Ahead OG Anunoby is one other teammate who Barnes can study from, though at this stage, it’s extra seemingly Barnes finally ends up taking quite a lot of his minutes as time goes on.
All of that is essential as a result of the Raptors are in a primary place to overachieve within the eyes of the media and followers alike this coming season. If a crew just like the Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, or Boston Celtics are doing nicely, it’s seen as a given. However the Raptors are clearly a stage, or perhaps even two, beneath that.
But nonetheless, the crew has sufficient high quality to be even a 3rd seed by the point All-Star voting concludes. In the event that they discover themselves in that place, you will be certain Barnes shall be an enormous purpose why. So circumstance can be on the aspect of Barnes. The Raptors are younger, enjoyable and have quite a lot of upside. All superficial, however essential, components of the All-Star voting course of.
Actually then there is no such thing as a purpose Scottie Barnes can’t be an All-Star this coming season. There shall be stiff competitors within the East with the introduction of Donovan Mitchell and Dejounte Murray, amongst others, however Barnes has began his profession so brightly.
The numbers look good, the scenario is right, and he’s solely going to get higher. There’s multiple-time All-Star potential right here, on the very minimal.
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