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Toronto architects Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster used that fourth pick to select Scottie Barnes, a tantalizing Swiss Army knife out of Florida State who has spent his first professional month helping the rebooted Raptors to a 6-6 start—and convincing anyone watching that he’s got a chance to be special.

Don’t just take my word for it, though. Ask somebody who’s got a pretty good sense of what “special” looks like.


Kevin Durant isn’t the only one Barnes has impressed in the early going. Coming out of Florida State, talent evaluators expected Barnes to be a ready-made defender and complementary playmaker (2.6 assists per game, sixth in the rookie class, and 6.7 potential assists a night, which ranks fifth) at the next level. His scoring touch, though, has been something of a revelation: After averaging 10.3 points per game in the ACC last season, Barnes has come out of the gates firing, averaging a Class of ’21–best 17 points per game on 53.3 percent shooting.

Toronto’s path back to the postseason begins on the defensive end, because despite Anunoby’s advancements, Barnes’s breakout, and an excellent start to primary point guard duty for Fred VanVleet—averaging 18.7 points on 37.8 percent 3-point shooting and a career-high 7.1 assists per game while leading the league in minutes played—the offense remains a work in progress. Case in point: Wednesday’s 104-88 loss in Boston, in which Toronto shot 6-for-24 from distance, got just 15 points from its bench had nearly as many turnovers (18) as assists (20), and never led once.

This was to be expected. Cracking open opponents’ paint-packing coverages will always be tough when you play lineups featuring multiple players who don’t shoot from outside; Barnes has attempted just 10 3-pointers in 10 games, and the center tandem of Precious Achiuwa and Khem Birch, while an improvement over last season’s disastrous Aron Baynes–Alex Len duo, offers zero stretch. Doing it while spacers are struggling with their shot—Gary Trent Jr. has missed two-thirds of his triples, and Chris Boucher’s just 6-for-33 from deep—is even tougher.

Managing it all without Siakam, the team’s leading scorer in the previous two seasons, promised to be downright brutal. The Raptors have consistently struggled to generate quality looks against set defenses, ranking just 25th in points scored per play in the half court, according to Cleaning the Glass.

HomieOmey wrote:I was expecting to see more playmaking at this point to be honest, but his scoring and rebounding definitely blind-sided me. Supposedly he shows statistical promise as a future playmaker, which is encouraging if we really hope him and FVV to work as a duo. Them calling him a complimentary playmaker, however, does suggest they don't see him as a primary one either.

HomieOmey wrote:I was expecting to see more playmaking at this point to be honest, but his scoring and rebounding definitely blind-sided me. Supposedly he shows statistical promise as a future playmaker, which is encouraging if we really hope him and FVV to work as a duo. Them calling him a complimentary playmaker, however, does suggest they don't see him as a primary one either.

PrinceAli wrote:

HomieOmey wrote:I was expecting to see more playmaking at this point to be honest, but his scoring and rebounding definitely blind-sided me. Supposedly he shows statistical promise as a future playmaker, which is encouraging if we really hope him and FVV to work as a duo. Them calling him a complimentary playmaker, however, does suggest they don't see him as a primary one either.

Only so much playmaking can be done with how much he has the ball in his hands. He’s shown some nice playmaking flashes and is averaging 2.6 APG (4 APG in the last 3 games). As he gets more comfortable he’ll show even more

For a forward who excels as a creator on the perimeter, he's not all that comfortable working out of the post. He can still pass with his back to the basket, but he doesn't have an array of post moves to get a bucket.

HomieOmey wrote:

PrinceAli wrote:

HomieOmey wrote:I was expecting to see more playmaking at this point to be honest, but his scoring and rebounding definitely blind-sided me. Supposedly he shows statistical promise as a future playmaker, which is encouraging if we really hope him and FVV to work as a duo. Them calling him a complimentary playmaker, however, does suggest they don't see him as a primary one either.

Only so much playmaking can be done with how much he has the ball in his hands. He’s shown some nice playmaking flashes and is averaging 2.6 APG (4 APG in the last 3 games). As he gets more comfortable he’ll show even more

I don't know, I'm just not getting the complete point-forward vibe I was sold. If he was more of the "PG" he was advertised to be, I think he would have shown more of that by now. There's been opportunity. I've seen some nice flashes of court vision; I've seen some great passes. But I've never felt like he was controlling the tempo or really looking to get guys going. Feels like he's developing more like a Kawhi/Derozan/Tatum than a Simmons/Draymond/Jokic in terms of his playmaking. Maybe I'm completely alone there, but I don't even mean it as a negative since he's already shown so much with his consistent defence, scoring, and rebounding.

NBA.com wrote:

For a forward who excels as a creator on the perimeter, he's not all that comfortable working out of the post. He can still pass with his back to the basket, but he doesn't have an array of post moves to get a bucket.

Am I alone feeling much more confident that he will score than assist once he's down low right now?

HomieOmey wrote:

PrinceAli wrote:

HomieOmey wrote:I was expecting to see more playmaking at this point to be honest, but his scoring and rebounding definitely blind-sided me. Supposedly he shows statistical promise as a future playmaker, which is encouraging if we really hope him and FVV to work as a duo. Them calling him a complimentary playmaker, however, does suggest they don't see him as a primary one either.

Only so much playmaking can be done with how much he has the ball in his hands. He’s shown some nice playmaking flashes and is averaging 2.6 APG (4 APG in the last 3 games). As he gets more comfortable he’ll show even more

I don't know, I'm just not getting the complete point-forward vibe I was sold. If he was more of the "PG" he was advertised to be, I think he would have shown more of that by now. There's been opportunity. I've seen some nice flashes of court vision; I've seen some great passes. But I've never felt like he was controlling the tempo or really looking to get guys going. Feels like he's developing more like a Kawhi/Derozan/Tatum than a Simmons/Draymond/Jokic in terms of his playmaking. Maybe I'm completely alone there, but I don't even mean it as a negative since he's already shown so much with his consistent defence, scoring, and rebounding.

NBA.com wrote:

For a forward who excels as a creator on the perimeter, he's not all that comfortable working out of the post. He can still pass with his back to the basket, but he doesn't have an array of post moves to get a bucket.

Am I alone feeling much more confident that he will score than assist once he's down low right now?

Los_29 wrote:Jokic and Draymond weren't getting high assist numbers in their first couple of years in the league. I do agree with you though in that I don't see Barnes as a primary ball handler unless he dramatically improves his handles. With that said, he's clearly shown the ability to play in transition, create plays for himself and others and he can do some things at his size that just not many players can do. He's quite unique in that regard.

Madhouse wrote:
I don't think he will ever be a PG. His future is at PF and as a secondary playmaker imo. He might learn it but I'm not betting on it how to run really an offense as a PG. I'm not sure what you were sold but Barnes has always been a great passer and high IQ decision maker. I think Draymond is a solid comparison as a passer. Jokic is the best passing big man I've ever seen, so that comparison seems lofty. Eventually I see him bringing the ball up especially in transition, getting it on the perimeter and post making passes, have relatively high assist numbers in his prime but I don't see him ever becoming a natural point guard.

In Scottie Barnes, the Raptors selected a point guard in the body of a power forward. At 6-foot-9, 225 pounds with a 7-foot-2 wingspan out of Florida State, the 19-year-old is the most unique prospect in this draft class with elite playmaking ability...

He handles the ball well and can run the point as well as post up down low against bigger defenders … great passer for a combo forward

He spends most of his minutes running the point for FSU, showing off his elite passing vision and feel for the game.

HomieOmey wrote:

Madhouse wrote:
I don't think he will ever be a PG. His future is at PF and as a secondary playmaker imo. He might learn it but I'm not betting on it how to run really an offense as a PG. I'm not sure what you were sold but Barnes has always been a great passer and high IQ decision maker. I think Draymond is a solid comparison as a passer. Jokic is the best passing big man I've ever seen, so that comparison seems lofty. Eventually I see him bringing the ball up especially in transition, getting it on the perimeter and post making passes, have relatively high assist numbers in his prime but I don't see him ever becoming a natural point guard.

NBA.com:

In Scottie Barnes, the Raptors selected a point guard in the body of a power forward. At 6-foot-9, 225 pounds with a 7-foot-2 wingspan out of Florida State, the 19-year-old is the most unique prospect in this draft class with elite playmaking ability...

NBADRAFT.net:

He handles the ball well and can run the point as well as post up down low against bigger defenders … great passer for a combo forward

NBAdraftroom:

He spends most of his minutes running the point for FSU, showing off his elite passing vision and feel for the game.

HomieOmey wrote:I was expecting to see more playmaking at this point to be honest, but his scoring and rebounding definitely blind-sided me. Supposedly he shows statistical promise as a future playmaker, which is encouraging if we really hope him and FVV to work as a duo. Them calling him a complimentary playmaker, however, does suggest they don't see him as a primary one either.

JShuttlesworth wrote:Good read, thanks for sharing.

Scottie has been a treat to watch early on, and I think he has a chance to be one of the best Raptors to ever lace them up.

HomieOmey wrote:I was expecting to see more playmaking at this point to be honest, but his scoring and rebounding definitely blind-sided me. Supposedly he shows statistical promise as a future playmaker, which is encouraging if we really hope him and FVV to work as a duo. Them calling him a complimentary playmaker, however, does suggest they don't see him as a primary one either.

HomieOmey wrote:

PrinceAli wrote:

HomieOmey wrote:I was expecting to see more playmaking at this point to be honest, but his scoring and rebounding definitely blind-sided me. Supposedly he shows statistical promise as a future playmaker, which is encouraging if we really hope him and FVV to work as a duo. Them calling him a complimentary playmaker, however, does suggest they don't see him as a primary one either.

Only so much playmaking can be done with how much he has the ball in his hands. He’s shown some nice playmaking flashes and is averaging 2.6 APG (4 APG in the last 3 games). As he gets more comfortable he’ll show even more

I don't know, I'm just not getting the complete point-forward vibe I was sold. If he was more of the "PG" he was advertised to be, I think he would have shown more of that by now. There's been opportunity. I've seen some nice flashes of court vision; I've seen some great passes. But I've never felt like he was controlling the tempo or really looking to get guys going. Feels like he's developing more like a Kawhi/Derozan/Tatum than a Simmons/Draymond/Jokic in terms of his playmaking. Maybe I'm completely alone there, but I don't even mean it as a negative since he's already shown so much with his consistent defence, scoring, and rebounding.

NBA.com wrote:

For a forward who excels as a creator on the perimeter, he's not all that comfortable working out of the post. He can still pass with his back to the basket, but he doesn't have an array of post moves to get a bucket.

Am I alone feeling much more confident that he will score than assist once he's down low right now?

MadDogSHWA wrote:He was tied with Stoudamire for most points as a rookie. Stoudamire was very close to his fully developed game as a rookie. Scottie has no moves, no fakes, no offensive polish whatsoever. He's getting points on effort, smarts and absurd physical attributes.