Scottie isn't going to be a #1 option superstar in this league

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I mean it's pretty obvious surrounding Barnes with role players won't get it done. At some point Raps will need a HC maestro with ISO scoring. Barnes' value primarily comes from defense, transition and facilitating like it always has. He'll probably become competent enough in the HC to be considered an elite 2nd best player type of performer. That's fine. All things considered he still might be able to be considered the best player on the team when you take defensive ability into account.

[refshateRaps]

Can't believe how many voted yes?

We are doomed if he's not surrounded by multiple playeres of equal or greater talent in the future

[Brinbe]

What an absolutely stupid and backwards way to view a team sport.

What year is it that we're still thinking in terms of #1 options as anything worth worrying about? Any contending team in this current era will have multiple stars and a great supporting cast. Putting this all on Scottie is stupid. Even a Jokic isn't doing anything without a Murray/MPJ/Gordon. A Tatum/Brown had Holiday/White/KP. Giannis had Middleton/Holiday/Lopez.

Kawhi had Lowry/Siakam/etc.

We'll only really get anywhere when we pair Scottie with other great players on his level and that's true for most any championship team in NBA history. Jordan only won with Pip, LeBron with Wade/Bosh and then Kyrie/KLove. Magic had Kareem/Worthy/Cooper/etc. Bird had McHale/Parish/Johnson

Who's the best guard that Scottie has ever played with? Fred? IQ? Best player overall is probably Pascal and they play the same position. Like what are we even talking about here?

And all this would be true EVEN IF HE WAS A NUMBER ONE SCORING OPTION.

That being said, the unique traits that Scottie does possess in terms of playmaking and two-way versatility do matter and do help elevate a team, even if he isn't a Luka level scorer.

[nikster]

He has a lot of room to grow, I think he has potential to be the best player on a championship team but 1) its still a slim chance and 2) his 2nd best player will need to be a good offensive initiator/creator

[Basketball_Jones]

It isn’t realistic to tank until you get one, unfortunately. You just amass talent until you have enough to make a run. Maybe it ends up in a trade for one, like we did Kawhi. But yeah, end of day you’re not going to tell 20 NBA teams (or more) that their team doesn’t have a good enough go to scorer and you need to tank. Doesn’t happen that way.

But I am in agreement for the next season strategy to get into that draft as much as possible.

[earth007]

Who the f*ck knows? How about we give him like 2 more years to see how he is developing? If he is not a #1 option by then, we either move on from him or find him an alpha in the draft or through a trade. Either way, finding that #1 option is easier said than done. Even at this moment, there is probably 5-10 players at the most who fit that bill.

[ash_k]

And that's why RJ, IQ and Gradey are the perfect fit next to him as he is totally comfortable taking a backseat. The Scottie @Spurs is the one we should all except long-term

[djsunyc]

player X won't ever be a top 5-10 player.

player X won't ever lead a team to a championship.

team X won't ever win a title.

all these stances are the lowest of the lowest hanging fruit possible.

[Thaddy]

He will be a top 5 player due to his build, trajectory, and what he's already accomplished. He's the most underrated ROY in recent memory. I would go as far as saying he'll be more accomplished than Wemby 3 years from now.

[Senbonzakura]

What an absolutely stupid and backwards way to view a team sport.

What year is it that we're still thinking in terms of #1 options as anything worth worrying about? Any contending team in this current era will have multiple stars and a great supporting cast. Putting this all on Scottie is stupid. Even a Jokic isn't doing anything without a Murray/MPJ/Gordon. A Tatum/Brown had Holiday/White/KP. Giannis had Middleton/Holiday/Lopez.

Kawhi had Lowry/Siakam/etc.

We'll only really get anywhere when we pair Scottie with other great players on his level and that's true for most any championship team in NBA history. Jordan only won with Pip, LeBron with Wade/Bosh and then Kyrie/KLove. Magic had Kareem/Worthy/Cooper/etc. Bird had McHale/Parish/Johnson

Who's the best guard that Scottie has ever played with? Fred? IQ? Best player overall is probably Pascal and they play the same position. Like what are we even talking about here?

And all this would be true EVEN IF HE WAS A NUMBER ONE SCORING OPTION.

That being said, the unique traits that Scottie does possess in terms of playmaking and two-way versatility do matter and do help elevate a team, even if he isn't a Luka level scorer.

It's not stupid.

My point is we still need that player in the Jokic/Tatum/Kawhi bracket that you mentioned. I don't think Scottie is capable of reaching that tier, so the point is we need to operate as if we don't have a superstar instead of "building around" Barnes who isn't one. If not we'll be making the exact same mistake we did in the Bosh era where we "built around" a guy who turned out to be a #3 guy on a championship tier team.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I would go as far as saying he'll be more accomplished than Wemby 3 years from now.

[Brinbe]

What an absolutely stupid and backwards way to view a team sport.

What year is it that we're still thinking in terms of #1 options as anything worth worrying about? Any contending team in this current era will have multiple stars and a great supporting cast. Putting this all on Scottie is stupid. Even a Jokic isn't doing anything without a Murray/MPJ/Gordon. A Tatum/Brown had Holiday/White/KP. Giannis had Middleton/Holiday/Lopez.

Kawhi had Lowry/Siakam/etc.

We'll only really get anywhere when we pair Scottie with other great players on his level and that's true for most any championship team in NBA history. Jordan only won with Pip, LeBron with Wade/Bosh and then Kyrie/KLove. Magic had Kareem/Worthy/Cooper/etc. Bird had McHale/Parish/Johnson

Who's the best guard that Scottie has ever played with? Fred? IQ? Best player overall is probably Pascal and they play the same position. Like what are we even talking about here?

And all this would be true EVEN IF HE WAS A NUMBER ONE SCORING OPTION.

That being said, the unique traits that Scottie does possess in terms of playmaking and two-way versatility do matter and do help elevate a team, even if he isn't a Luka level scorer.

It's not stupid.

My point is we still need that player in the Jokic/Tatum/Kawhi bracket that you mentioned. I don't think Scottie is capable of reaching that tier, so the point is we need to operate as if we don't have a superstar instead of "building around" Barnes who isn't one. If not we'll be making the exact same mistake we did in the Bosh era where we "built around" a guy who turned out to be a #3 guy on a championship tier team.

It is stupid because what you're saying is obvious. We need talent, period. Regardless of he is a number one or not. The Bosh thing is funny because that proves the point. Who are the best players we paired him with?

And how can you put a cap on a player this young? None of us know what he can ultimately become but you overlook what he can do just because you want to fit players into these boxes instead of focusing on all his unique traits that he does bring.

Watch on YouTube

[T-d0t]

I would go as far as saying he'll be more accomplished than Wemby 3 years from now.

That is madness

[bon]

I'm sure you didn't think he would be an Allstar in Year 3 when he was drafted either. When will you people learn to stop putting a ceiling on this kid when he's only been getting better.

And besides, Boston just won it all with their 2 best players scoring 22 & 20 ppg on below average efficiency in the Finals. They made up for it with depth and defense. There isn't only one way to win a title.

[Coco Costanza]

Are you bored? Get a life dude

This is unnecessary.

[ItsDanger]

I think he can be the best player but not necessarily the #1 scoring option.

[C3SIUM]

I do actually think he can be something like Kawhi - i do see flashes of that midrange game.
I do think he has a high motor and won't stop wanting to be better.

I am not sure there are more than 3 people in the league, given his age, I would trade him for

[KP730]

He has the potential to be the best overall player on a championship team

The guy is 22 years old. Putting limits on his potential in absolute terms like this after what he showed last season is crazy

Raps fans STILL underrating Barnes. That’s OK tho, I believe we’ll be on the same page after next season…big year for him, and I think he’ll prove doubters wrong

[Merit]

What about PG13? Jimmy Butler? Even Jayson Tatum? They've got the rizz of superstars but aren't/weren't top 3 at any of the components of being a #1 option that you mention. I guess the point is, though, that no, PG13, Jimmy, and Tatum aren't on the levels of true MVP offensive options... and that building a contender around them is more difficult than building one around a Kawhi, a Lebron, a KD, or a Curry.

Anyway, to answer your question, I don't think Scottie will ever be a #1 option superstar, but he can be a superstar in the mold of someone like Jimmy Butler or PG13. They need a running-mate at their own level rather than making due with a supporting cast that does it by committee (as the Raptors did in 2019, or the Mavs did in 2011).

Butler can get to the rim, he is more a guard.
Meanwhile, I am surprised Tatum isn't close to MVP level, and his shooting is pretty good.
Both of them are two-way player, they can defend multiple positions, not so much with Barnes.

One thing Barnes can do is defend multiple positions.

[Merit]

player X won't ever be a top 5-10 player.

player X won't ever lead a team to a championship.

team X won't ever win a title.

all these stances are the lowest of the lowest hanging fruit possible.

Also, it gives us an indication of where the board’s mindset is overall. It feels like we’re cheering against ourselves sometimes.

As for Scottie’s trajectory - based on current indications he’s done exceptionally well. Is he Giannis yet? No. Could he be similar - with better shooting? Probably.

Would that be enough to get us to the playoffs next year in a building season? Not sure. Especially if we stealth tank due to injuries again. On the plus side, we finally have a semblance of a bench, which makes me optimistic.

Finally, this is all about winning. There are many ways to get to the same spot, and it’s especially important to note that one rookie scale contract that pops off gives us SO much leverage and opportunity. Jamal Sheard could be legit. If Gradey steps up this year - that’s huge. Same applies with Mogbo being a rebounding machine and with Vezenkov choosing to play. Walter will come in time, but this year it’s gonna be a bench role.

I’m cautiously optimistic and very excited for summer league.