2021-2022 Regular Season Game 78: Toronto Raptors (44-32) at Orlando Magic (20-57) - 4/1/22 at 7pm ET

[zaymon]

Another game i watch Scottie Barnes and another game i am left suprised why he is in consideration for roy. You look at his stats and its great, future superstar. You look at the game and you see player who cant get past anyone other than Mo Bamba(he twice just charged into players, injured Wagner on the way), who is left wide open, his shots land in random places, and who is getting blown by on defense.
Yes he is long, yes he is great at putbacks, yes he is a versatile defender(altough not a good one). I dont deny his upside given his tools, its very high, but right now he is not that good imo.

ps. I would rather watch Gravett/Cannady than Anthony/Hampton next year. I wanted Desmond Bane so bad that year (also Pokusevski lol

Barnes finishes plays. He has semi floter from 10 feet, can dunk, score layups, is 6'10 and is strong so he can put ball on the floor and bully his path toward rim.
But his box score always looks better than eyetest.
Blowing by Bamba isn't impressive, that dummy tried to defend Barnes 35 feet from rim, like wtf are you doing, guy shoots like 20% on pullups, let him take those outside bricks.

Barnes is measured at 6'7 barefoot not 6'10.
Bamba is clueless. He didnt close out on Anunoby who is automatic from standstill but did it on Barnes.

[Knightro]

Why do we keep calling a player who shoots 32% from 3 for his career a 3&D guy?

I do think Okeke is a solid team defender who plays passing lanes exceptionally well, but his long-term place as a rotational player in this league hinges on a 3pt shot he has yet to show he can hit at even a remotely average level by NBA standards.

I agree.

Okeke is a solid connector piece. He plays hard. He's a pretty good team defender who can rack up a lot of steals. He will make the extra pass.

But he's not really a viable rotation guy with his shooting as inconsistent as it is.

I'd be fine moving on from him.

[PrimeThyme]

But his box score always looks better than eyetest.

Barnes is in the absolute perfect situation to maximize his skillset. Like, it could not have been a better place for him to land. He's the 5th leading scorer on his own team and plays next to an All-NBA player at forward and an All-star playmaker at guard. To go along with one of the best schematic coaches in the league.

He's going to end up being a better player than I predicted, but all the Raptors fans who tout him as the next Kawhi sort of look past how favorable of a situation it is. If he switched places with Cade and played on a team devoid of talent, shooters, and playmakers in any fashion like Detroit is, I I think his rookie year would have played out very differently.

Same with Franz IMO. Barnes does not have the consistent off-the-dribble creation ability that Franz has, which is what has kept him afloat on our far less talented roster. Barnes would be getting eviscerated by posters if we drafted him instead.

[fateis007]

Cole is just terrible. Seriously, at first I wasn't sure. But having watched him all season, hes basically a chucker and terrible game manager. dude has lead the tank, losing a few games by himself, ill give him that. But how can you be run point and be -28 in a game and your sub is +5. I really hope we can find a good trade oppurtunity and draft another shooting guard (ivey), which is basically what he isand just get rid of him. Atleast DJ Augustin could shoot.

[zaymon]

Cole is just terrible. Seriously, at first I wasn't sure. But having watched him all season, hes basically a chucker and terrible game manager. dude has lead the tank, losing a few games by himself, ill give him that. But how can you be run point and be -28 in a game and your sub is +5. I really hope we can find a good trade oppurtunity and draft another shooting guard (ivey), which is basically what he isand just get rid of him. Atleast DJ Augustin could shoot.

Ivey could be better but he is unfortunately in the same mold that Anthony. Not a game manager, shaky shooter.