Small Forwards

[Statistician MK]

It only took one slightly weaker party from Scotty B. for the haters to call in with the criticism...
Despite his yesterday's weak game, here are the updated stats for the small forward across the NBA, and Eastern Conference:

NBA

PTS
1. Jayson Tatum BOS
2. LeBron James LAL
3. Kawhi Leonard LAC

REB
1. Scottie Barnes TOR
2. Jayson Tatum BOS
3. Jalen Johnson ATL

AST
1. LeBron James LAL
2. Scottie Barnes TOR
3. Brandon Ingram NO

STL
1. Kawhi Leonard LAC
2. LeBron James LAL
3. Scottie Barnes TOR

BLK
1. Scottie Barnes TOR
2. Isaiah Jackson IND
3. Herbert Jones NO

---

Eastern Conference

PTS
1. Jayson Tatum BOS

REB
1. Scottie Barnes TOR

AST
1. Scottie Barnes TOR

STL
1. Scottie Barnes TOR

BLK
1. Scottie Barnes TOR

[Hero_Panda]

Yeah but he's not leading in pts doh...

[MoneyBall]

Impressive, but are we even sure Scottie's a small forward?

[SFour]

Barnes is widely accepted as a star among non-Raptors fans....that says alot because usually Raptors players are underrated in that regard. I'm pretty sure I heard the Warriors commentators call him a superstar near the start of the game.

[ConSarnit]

Impressive, but are we even sure Scottie's a small forward?

Tough to say. I'd say he's definitely better as a 4 defensively. He doesn't have the quickest lateral movement but he's become very good as a help defender so keeping him closer to the basket likely maximizes his impact. He'll have an easier time beating 4's off the dribble than he will wings (he's not really a blow by type player). At the 3 I think he can really mash guys though. He should be able to develop a Kawhi-like game where he might not be the fastest but he's so much stronger than his defender that he can get good separation in the midrange or just straight bully guys on post-ups. I think he might be able to overpower most 4's though too. We've seen him put his shoulder into legit 7 footers and completely knock them off their spot. It's tough to say what his ideal position is.

[DelAbbot]

Impressive, but are we even sure Scottie's a small forward?

Tough to say. I'd say he's definitely better as a 4 defensively. He doesn't have the quickest lateral movement but he's become very good as a help defender so keeping him closer to the basket likely maximizes his impact. He'll have an easier time beating 4's off the dribble than he will wings (he's not really a blow by type player). At the 3 I think he can really mash guys though. He should be able to develop a Kawhi-like game where he might not be the fastest but he's so much stronger than his defender that he can get good separation in the midrange or just straight bully guys on post-ups. I think he might be able to overpower most 4's though too. We've seen him put his shoulder into legit 7 footers and completely knock them off their spot. It's tough to say what his ideal position is.

Kawhi was that strongass SF, who with his superman strength and wingspan could easily play the 4

[Statistician MK]

Impressive, but are we even sure Scottie's a small forward?

He can play PF, and even PG, but probably SF is the best position for him.

[Indeed]

Impressive, but are we even sure Scottie's a small forward?

Tough to say. I'd say he's definitely better as a 4 defensively. He doesn't have the quickest lateral movement but he's become very good as a help defender so keeping him closer to the basket likely maximizes his impact. He'll have an easier time beating 4's off the dribble than he will wings (he's not really a blow by type player). At the 3 I think he can really mash guys though. He should be able to develop a Kawhi-like game where he might not be the fastest but he's so much stronger than his defender that he can get good separation in the midrange or just straight bully guys on post-ups. I think he might be able to overpower most 4's though too. We've seen him put his shoulder into legit 7 footers and completely knock them off their spot. It's tough to say what his ideal position is.

Kawhi was that strongass SF, who with his superman strength and wingspan could easily play the 4

Instead of stronger, I think he is better with a pull up 3 and pump fake (more like his game).

Currently, if he is against 4, he will definitely not get the same result (rebounding would be tougher, finishing against length as well). Eventually he should score better against 4, but if we wish to make him more success like he is right now, a Siakam type of player who can guard 2/3/4 and score against them would be needed.

[DreamTeam09]

Does Scottie actually have haters? Like is that really a thing to y'all?

[Statistician MK]

Double-doubles:
1. Scottie Barnes TOR
2. Jayson Tatum BOS
3. LeBron James LAL

Triple-doubles:
1. Scottie Barnes TOR 2
1. LeBron James LAL 2
(The only two SFs in NBA with triple-doubles)

[Ducksplatt]

I keep hearing that Pascal is blocking him as they play the same position. But I would rather see him (kawhi-like) play SF and over power/play bully ball.

[ConSarnit]

I keep hearing that Pascal is blocking him as they play the same position. But I would rather see him (kawhi-like) play SF and over power/play bully ball.

The main issue is playing with Siakam AND Poeltl. The power/bully game that Scottie could excel in isn't going to be optimized playing in a poor spacing environment. Bully-ball is generally going to involve playing more near the paint. With 2 non-shooters that becomes much more difficult. Not saying Barnes can't be successful playing with both of those guys but it's not ideal. In a perfect world he probably plays the 3 next to a spacing PF (maintaining size for defensive purposes) but finding a good spacing 4 is difficult and on average any Siakam replacement is probably going to be an overall downgrade even if they are a better shooter.