PG: The Scottie Barnes Show

[DaFroMan]

BI deserves more praise here. After all he converted most of the clutch buckets. When he’s on he makes defenders look like cones.

Definitely something that doesn't get praised enough. BI raises his level of play when it matters and one of the main reasons this teams won close games this season.

His combination of length and high release point make him almost ungaurdable. He is also great at getting to his spots in the midrange like a kawhi.

He is my all star for the team of I had to choose. Raps would be sub .500 without him very easily.

[Thaddy]

Ingram needs to shoot better. Gradey does a lot of good things but his shot is just garbage right now. If Gradey and Walter were doing well offensively we would be a force to be reckoned with in the league. I don't think it's too far off though.

The Bamba signing is great. If he can be a decent 15 minutes a game player for us its a steal of a deal. We should be good for at least 4th if not 3rd in the EC and have at least a first round series win.

[ArthurVandelay]

Hopefully a trade comes sooner than later.

There is something off with this team. The inconsistencies aren’t the signs of a team on the rise.

Welcome back RJ!!

I do agree on the inconsistencies. However, we went on a massive run when we had our whole starting 5 present. As soon as they got injured things got worse. First it was RJ, the. iQ and then Jak.

the inconsistencies come from a young group navigating a season where they're indeed trying to win games, coach as well. Which should be expected, y'all just don't wanna give this group any grace because of the past rhetoric out there.

I fell I’ve given them grace. Can’t get too high or too low. They weren’t as good as the win streak and they aren’t as bad as they’ve shown since. The team is essentially what you’d expect from a 45 win team. There is still something off with this team. You can see it in the body language, facial expressions, and fluctuating intensity and effort. Everything comes out in the end. We’ll find out soon enough.

[ArthurVandelay]

This team has proven to be very inconsistent. One of the most bizarre Raptors teams we’ve ever had. It remains to be seen if they’ll find an identity or continue to be up and down the entire season.

I said this exact thing a couple of days ago to a coworker.

[Kingsway_fan]

This team has proven to be very inconsistent. One of the most bizarre Raptors teams we’ve ever had. It remains to be seen if they’ll find an identity or continue to be up and down the entire season.

I said this exact thing a couple of days ago to a coworker.

Up and down? Mirroring Scottie...

[Got Nuffin]

Xx

[Got Nuffin]

I do agree on the inconsistencies. However, we went on a massive run when we had our whole starting 5 present. As soon as they got injured things got worse. First it was RJ, the. iQ and then Jak.

the inconsistencies come from a young group navigating a season where they're indeed trying to win games, coach as well. Which should be expected, y'all just don't wanna give this group any grace because of the past rhetoric out there.

I fell I’ve given them grace. Can’t get too high or too low. They weren’t as good as the win streak and they aren’t as bad as they’ve shown since. The team is essentially what you’d expect from a 45 win team. There is still something off with this team. You can see it in the body language, facial expressions, and fluctuating intensity and effort. Everything comes out in the end. We’ll find out soon enough.

After last years clown show we’re set to win 45 games and you think something is off?

45 wins is a massive accomplishment imo. If only Dick, Walter, Cmb (yet to be determined) fulfilled their potential we would really be talking about a top of the east team.

We will see, but it’s fun so far imo

[YogurtProducer]

Reminder - multiple posters complained Scottie started at C tonight, and that in itself should tell us to not think so highly of ourselves

He’s a better C than he is PG that’s for sure

This is both of you right now

Fk you’re a weird guy

Personal attack

[YogurtProducer]

Reminder - multiple posters complained Scottie started at C tonight, and that in itself should tell us to not think so highly of ourselves

He’s a better C than he is PG that’s for sure

BTW, multiple equals 2 people commenting on it. Ridiculous description given here.

I mean, you can check the GT and see it was more than 2…

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2489388&start=20

[TheDunc]

Barnes is an all star this season especially when you consider his defense, hes not a perfect player but not many players can put up a statline like he just put up apart from Jokic and Wemby

[TheDunc]

When the raptors turn up the energy and play all over the place on D they seem like a legit top team. Problem is we only see this in spurts and some games none at all

[DreamTeam09]

This team has proven to be very inconsistent. One of the most bizarre Raptors teams we’ve ever had. It remains to be seen if they’ll find an identity or continue to be up and down the entire season.

I said this exact thing a couple of days ago to a coworker.

Up and down? Mirroring Scottie...

again, what's not to understand about a young team trying to navigate WINS throughout an 82 game szn while dealing with injuries to starters at that? Inconsistencies are a byproduct, the original body language, when all we've heard & seen is how well n close this group is

[pogi]

I have always thought Center is Scottie's best position. My favourite games of his have come when he plays that spot. I bought his jersey because this is exactly how I thought he would dominate the league. I was really frustrated by PG Scottie the last couple of years but this year he is finally starting to realize he is one of the strongest men in the paint.

My dream would be seeing Scottie become our starting center (Scottie is as strong as Draymond) then see Bobby make a deal for a Point Guard.

Hell while I'm at it, would love to see Dick get benched to give Lawson or Martin a chance with those minutes.

Can't wait to see RJ play more minutes and Walter is starting to look like a player!

Scottie can't play center full time or even majority minutes like peak Draymond. He is nowhere as good of a rim protector or smart defense or as strong as young Draymond. GSW tonight were small and unathletic so it worked well.

Sadly, Barnes playing outside of C is just average or below due to his shooting.
He will need to play C to make up his near-max contract.

Scottie can play center depends on the match up, he can't play against AD, Wemby or Jokic.

[OhCanada]

This team has proven to be very inconsistent. One of the most bizarre Raptors teams we’ve ever had. It remains to be seen if they’ll find an identity or continue to be up and down the entire season.

Theres been alot of disruptions with the initial gameplan. Poeltl's condition has created a huge gap at Center. CMB was drafted to be a smallball Center but its asking alot for a 20 year old thats 6'7 and it hasn't worked as expected. Sandro was brought in to space the floor for 18 minutes a game not bang down low with Jokic and Embiid. Center's the new toughest position in the league you have to do so much in the modern game and right now we're essentially playing C by committee. Maybe Bamba will help but history suggests the best thing he will bring is less minutes against real Centers for CMB and Scottie.

I think the teams fascination with CMB becoming Draymond has kind of takebn away from what he can actually do for the team now. VEry well. The guy is an amazing basketball player and they don't seem to know what to do with him.

Barrett's injury has put IQ on the ball more. Another inconsistency. This is not good. IQ is a very good player and I'm happy he's an overpaid Raptor but he doesn't process the game well. He should be leading the team in assisted shots not in assists. Barrett's best contribution to this team is creating defined roles for the rest of the team. Its almost like he knows he will get the ball back when Shead and Barrett are in the game but he's probably not gonne get it back from Barnes and Ingram unless its bail out because Barnes differs to BI and BI is trying to score or draw a double. Shead and Barrett actually find him.

Scotties inconsitent play is overblown he's actually been phenomenal this year considering the circumstances. He had like two bad games during Christmas and he was sick. He's been playing Center to some extent all year and thats tough as hell. He should be getting load management games for his own morale and also to se how we play without him but he clearly wants to play every game. He's really the NBA's best kept secret. He's like a super Draymond Green.

[HiJiNX]

When the raptors turn up the energy and play all over the place on D they seem like a legit top team. Problem is we only see this in spurts and some games none at all

What’s often lost I think is how inefficient offence impacts our defence. It’s hard to play defence like we did last night when you’re scrambling back in transition because you’ve missed a bad attempt.
Having RJ back should help improve our D simply because the opponent will be taking the ball out from under their rim more often.

[MEDIC]

This team has proven to be very inconsistent. One of the most bizarre Raptors teams we’ve ever had. It remains to be seen if they’ll find an identity or continue to be up and down the entire season.

I said this exact thing a couple of days ago to a coworker.

Up and down? Mirroring Scottie...

Exactly what I was thinking when I read his post.

The team will go as its best players go.

If Scottie can figure out how to bring it every night, it will help the team tremendously. I think he is getting more consistent & he will get there. He just had a baby & is playing some of the best basketball of his career.

I do think "playoff Scottie" will be a real thing as well. He typically plays well when he has the extra adrenalin/ competitive juices flowing.

[MEDIC]

When the raptors turn up the energy and play all over the place on D they seem like a legit top team. Problem is we only see this in spurts and some games none at all

What’s often lost I think is how inefficient offence impacts our defence. It’s hard to play defence like we did last night when you’re scrambling back in transition because you’ve missed a bad attempt.
Having RJ back should help improve our D simply because the opponent will be taking the ball out from under their rim more often.

Good point.

I don't know what it is about RJ, but he just seems to find ways to get easier baskets than everyone else. He seems to be in the right place at the right time on offense. It could be a timely cut, wide open three or simply running the lane effectively in transition.

[Boogie!]

Barnes is an all star this season especially when you consider his defense, hes not a perfect player but not many players can put up a statline like he just put up apart from Jokic and Wemby

Jalen Johnson is averaging more points, rebounds and assists than Barnes right now. (24/10/8) that looks like a Luka, jokic type stat line. Where is the talk about him being a superstar, franchise type guy?

[ConSarnit]

This team has proven to be very inconsistent. One of the most bizarre Raptors teams we’ve ever had. It remains to be seen if they’ll find an identity or continue to be up and down the entire season.

Theres been alot of disruptions with the initial gameplan. Poeltl's condition has created a huge gap at Center. CMB was drafted to be a smallball Center but its asking alot for a 20 year old thats 6'7 and it hasn't worked as expected. Sandro was brought in to space the floor for 18 minutes a game not bang down low with Jokic and Embiid. Center's the new toughest position in the league you have to do so much in the modern game and right now we're essentially playing C by committee. Maybe Bamba will help but history suggests the best thing he will bring is less minutes against real Centers for CMB and Scottie.

I think the teams fascination with CMB becoming Draymond has kind of takebn away from what he can actually do for the team now. VEry well. The guy is an amazing basketball player and they don't seem to know what to do with him.

Barrett's injury has put IQ on the ball more. Another inconsistency. This is not good. IQ is a very good player and I'm happy he's an overpaid Raptor but he doesn't process the game well. He should be leading the team in assisted shots not in assists. Barrett's best contribution to this team is creating defined roles for the rest of the team. Its almost like he knows he will get the ball back when Shead and Barrett are in the game but he's probably not gonne get it back from Barnes and Ingram unless its bail out because Barnes differs to BI and BI is trying to score or draw a double. Shead and Barrett actually find him.

Scotties inconsitent play is overblown he's actually been phenomenal this year considering the circumstances. He had like two bad games during Christmas and he was sick. He's been playing Center to some extent all year and thats tough as hell. He should be getting load management games for his own morale and also to se how we play without him but he clearly wants to play every game. He's really the NBA's best kept secret. He's like a super Draymond Green.

Load management? He’s 24.

Barnes having to play C is partially his own doing. If you’re not going to space the floor at the 4 you’re going to have to play some small ball C. I’d bet the team’s plan from the get go was to rely on Barnes as a small ball C this year. We know Poeltl can’t play more than 28mpg. We know Mamu can’t protect the rim. No one should expect CMB (a 20yr old rookie) to be able to come in an anchor defense. Ingram was brought in to lower the offensive load for others (Barnes included).

If Barnes is going to lower his offensive scoring load he has to be able to play C for real stints. If he’s going to continue to be a questionable shooter this is his destiny.

[tsherkin]

Barnes is an all star this season especially when you consider his defense, hes not a perfect player but not many players can put up a statline like he just put up apart from Jokic and Wemby

Jalen Johnson is averaging more points, rebounds and assists than Barnes right now. (24/10/8) that looks like a Luka, jokic type stat line. Where is the talk about him being a superstar, franchise type guy?

Jalen Johnson SHOULD be getting more publicity, but he plays for Atlanta, and no one cares.

But he's been brilliant this season, and was showing it and progressively breaking out the past two seasons, as well. He's been a fantastic playmaker, a strong defender, their leading scorer and overall like a 23/10/8 guy. He's been a monster. He's calmed down a LITTLE now that he isn't shooting 40% from 3, but he's a demon, and one of the best transition and secondary break players in the league. He's also slowed himself down a lot in the middle spaces, and his decision-making there has been incredible. He is their future once they move beyond Trae. And they've kind of already been doing it.