Z.Lowe /B. Simmons : Team USA 2028 - Barnes not even mentioned

[nivisi9]

Did anyone catch the long Zach Lowe podcast projecting out the 2028 USA team with Bill Simmons?

They spent an hour building out almost every possible roster compilation imaginable.

They even mentioned possible rosters that could include guys like Brandin Podziemski, Kon Kneuppel, Cason Wallace, Jaden Mcdaniels...

not a single word or mention of Scottie Barnes.

Its interesting seeing how the mighty/promising have fallen that quickly, is everyone that low on Barnes these days?

I just find it abit wild because at the start of last season (prior to his disappointing season riddled with injuries) you would've said Barnes was the most accomplished player from that draft class:

- Rookie of the year and only all-star (at 22 yrs old). Coming off break out season looking like possible heliocentric do all 2-way wing + ball handling + vision.

I just thought this was notable/interesting and wondering...

is it fair or accurate to conclude his overall ceiling projectability has completely changed already?

Would it be more fair to assume best case scenario Barnes becomes a hyper utility role player (ex. wing version Draymond + more offensive output)?

Do many/any still see a chance he could become like a poors man's LeBron at peak?
(do it all wing/big with LeBron physique, ball handling, vision, defense, physical specimen over power opposing wings)

which he seemed to flash when everyone was still high on him?

[Thaddy]

I would rather he play for Jamaica and be featured. It's more transferrable than playing with a stacked team.

[Zeno]

This is why I think Barnes has a chance of getting in the most improved conversation with slight improvement of his stats. Media is absolutely blind when it comes to considering role when evaluating players. Near no one it seems saw the impact/improvement he was having on defense last year. It will be noticed if the team wins. Suddenly, a slightly more efficient Scottie on a winning team with a lesser burden on offence will be seen as a radically improved player. In order to cover up, how little they paid attention, they will pretend the improvement all occurred in a single off-season.

[YogurtProducer]

I would rather he play for Jamaica and be featured. It's more transferrable than playing with a stacked team.

**** no. Playing a proper role and being around elite players is better than him role playing as a #1 and sucking at it.

[HangTime]

Did anyone catch the long Zach Lowe podcast projecting out the 2028 USA team with Bill Simmons?

They spent an hour building out almost every possible roster compilation imaginable.

They even mentioned possible rosters that could include guys like Brandin Podziemski, Kon Kneuppel, Cason Wallace, Jaden Mcdaniels...

not a single word or mention of Scottie Barnes.

Its interesting seeing how the mighty/promising have fallen that quickly, is everyone that low on Barnes these days?

I just find it abit wild because at the start of last season (prior to his disappointing season riddled with injuries) you would've said Barnes was the most accomplished player from that draft class:

- Rookie of the year and only all-star (at 22 yrs old). Coming off break out season looking like possible heliocentric do all 2-way wing + ball handling + vision.

I just thought this was notable/interesting and wondering...

is it fair or accurate to conclude his overall ceiling projectability has completely changed already?

Would it be more fair to assume best case scenario Barnes becomes a hyper utility role player (ex. wing version Draymond + more offensive output)?

Do many/any still see a chance he could become like a poors man's LeBron at peak?
(do it all wing/big with LeBron physique, ball handling, vision, defense, physical specimen over power opposing wings)

which he seemed to flash when everyone was still high on him?

That's a good thing, you find out who has eye to scout talent. The fact they don't see it, is really telling.

Or they assume he play for Jamaica with the Thompson twins, and USA will never score.

[Clay Davis]

I would rather he play for Jamaica and be featured. It's more transferrable than playing with a stacked team.

Doctor said I had bloodclots, but I ain't Jamaican man!

The rizz... of Bodmon Barnes!! BYAAAAH!

[Tripod]

I would rather he play for Jamaica and be featured. It's more transferrable than playing with a stacked team.

Not Jamaica.

Canada

[anotherhomer]

tbh, scottie barnes didn't take the jump that was expected....he's showing himself to be more of a role-player, glue type guy player , not the star player raps were hoping he become

[Basketball_Jones]

He’s very early in his career and coming off a pretty forgettable year. Remember even when Kyle and Demar became all stars they were often overlooked and never talked about. Barnes is going to have to do a lot more to get his name out there.

[mtcan]

Unless Scottie improves his shooting or becomes an all-NBA defender...no reason to consider him yet.

[raptorforlife88]

[x]

Read on Twitter

[/x]

Alright we can close this down now.

[Ackshun]

I would rather he play for Jamaica and be featured. It's more transferrable than playing with a stacked team.

**** no. Playing a proper role and being around elite players is better than him role playing as a #1 and sucking at it.

Yeah agreed. Playing for a winner will trump the alternative.

I’d rather he get 8-10 minutes on a gold metal team than get 30 minutes, while getting blown out..

Being around elite will elevate his mentality. I’m sure that’s part of the battle

[WaltFrazier]

[x]

Read on Twitter

[/x]

Alright we can close this down now.

It's Grant Hill's list that counts anyway, not Zach Lowe's.

[Thaddy]

Barnes should be better this year. The comparison to last year's runs versus this year's is showing another level of smoothness to his mid range game.

[TheAlchemist23]

Scottie did this to himself. He took a back seat to RJ Barrett lmao. No one considers role players on mid/garbage teams to be stars.

[Shakril]

Scottie did this to himself. He took a back seat to RJ Barrett lmao. No one considers role players on mid/garbage teams to be stars.

That is a rather unfortunate comment.

The reason Scottie is an afterthought right now is not RJ. Its scottie himself. I am tired of all the apologists that shield him from any kind of accountability.

[Mikistan]

Scottie did this to himself. He took a back seat to RJ Barrett lmao. No one considers role players on mid/garbage teams to be stars.

That is a rather unfortunate comment.

The reason Scottie is an afterthought right now is not RJ. Its scottie himself. I am tired of all the apologists that shield him from any kind of accountability.

Ya and poeltl is a better playmaker than Scottie, right, stop it.

[CPT]

If you listen to the conversation it makes a lot more sense.

I think both of them had a pretty locked in top 8 of Hali, Ant, JDub, Flagg, Paolo, Chet, Mobley, Amen. That list is pretty unimpeachable if you’re talking about Scottie getting in there. You’re free to argue any of them, but I think most people would write those names in pen.

Simmons had a self-imposed under-30 rule and was trying to “build a basketball team.” Guys 9-12 would be role players, happy to be there, etc. He had Trey Murphy and Kon (glue guys who can shoot), Cason Wallace (defensive guard), and Darryn Peterson (upside).

Lowe had more veterans (so his top 8 wasn’t as defined), including Tatum, Booker, Mitchell, and Cade.

A lot of the names mentioned as ridiculous were when Zach was trying to guess Bill’s last player (Peterson) under the premise it would be unexpected. They also mentioned a few more 3&D guys and bigs, as those are kind of the flex slots.

It’s a little weird that he wasn’t mentioned at all, but he’s just so far off of usurping one of those core guys because he doesn’t quite give you enough to offset the fact that you would have to cover for him with shooters.

Honestly, the way they were talking, I’d almost expect CMB to be brought up ahead of Barnes. If Barnes can make an all-defensive team this year, I’m sure he’d be back in the mix. It might even help him more than an All-Star nod.

[djsunyc]

Scottie did this to himself. He took a back seat to RJ Barrett lmao. No one considers role players on mid/garbage teams to be stars.

That is a rather unfortunate comment.

The reason Scottie is an afterthought right now is not RJ. Its scottie himself. I am tired of all the apologists that shield him from any kind of accountability.

i think it's more to do with expectations fans put on players and then turn on them when they aren't met. should a player be criticized for not being as good as other players? or should we be more accepting of what a player's limitations are and adjust our expectations?

[Raptors_Dynasty]

Scottie is not that guy, it’s a tough pill for a lot of us to swallow but its reality