Last year, during the 2021 Draft, the Raptors selected Scottie Barnes with the 4th choice. A decision that questioned when Jalen Suggs, expected higher than friend Scottie, was still available and that knowing that the forward was playing in the same position as the star of the Canadians: Pascal Siakam. After a season and a ROY title for Barnes, the least we can say is that the question was no longer relevant. However, at the start of the sophomore season, Scottie seems to be leveling off…
The Rookie Wall, in sophomore season, you had to think about it. Scottie Barnes did.
Or does it, more precisely, after an exceptional rookie campaign resulting in a 5th place in the East for the Raptors and a title of Rookie of the year awarded to the young dino, the nose and the beard of Cavalier Evan Mobley. Positioned alongside a Pascal Siakam shifted to position 5 for the occasion, the forward from Florida State quickly integrated into the Raptors pack, sometimes even taking the reins of playmaking from the wing. 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists, we can speak of a complete and successful rookie season.
Scottie Barnes is the 2021-22 Rookie of the Year, per @ShamsCharania ???? pic.twitter.com/9a0vc44zPF
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 23, 2022
But here it is: we are now past a quarter of the season and Barnes, now a sophomore, seems to be in trouble.
Even more worrying for the most pessimistic, the Floridian is regressing, both statistically and in visual impression, and the Raptors are doing the same. Barely balanced after 26 regular games, the Canadians have certainly been injured in turn, but the facts are there: Toronto is now 9th in the East, despite the explosion of the candidate DPOY, AND Anunoby. Let’s go back to Scottie instead, for now.
We’re talking about regression, okay, but not enough to imagine a descent into hell either for the ROY 2022! The stats are still very correct although almost all down: 14.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists. There is also a lot of work that goes beyond the numerical framework, whether in defense, game reading, or defensive rotations. If Scottie has improved in passing, unfortunately it has not come without a marked increase in his ball losses: from 1.8 per game last season, the sophomore goes to 2.5 this year, a 39% increase…
Yes, but, because there is a but: it is still necessary to put these concerns into perspective. Going through a bad patch happens to any NBA player, and more generally to any professional athlete. There is no doubt that Scottie Barnes has in him the resources – mental in particular – necessary to recover and relaunch his progress. Asked about the difficulties and the future of the young forward following the match between Celtics and Raptors, Jayson Tatum was also full of praise for his opponent of the evening:
Jayson Tatum says he’s a big fan of Scottie Barnes and that “he’ll be fine.”
Adds teams are gameplanning around Barnes harder now that they’ve seen him play a full season.
“The cat is out of the bag… he’s not surprising people anymore.” pic.twitter.com/6MFGXLBZoF
– Adam Laskaris (@adam_la2karis) December 6, 2022
“I’m a huge Scottie fan. He won Rookie of the Year and he deserved it. He’s a competitor on both sides of the pitch and I can’t say how talented he is. But simply, now the cat is out of the bag and it no longer surprises anyone like in rookie season. Everyone knows what he is capable of and comes up with a plan for him. He will get through this, it’s normal to have ups and downs, but he has to understand that the opponents are waiting for him now.
Ah, the pressure of expectation, coupled with the more concrete pressure that the Barnstormer now faces in every game from his defenders. This is a first plausible explanation for the difficulties experienced by the young player of Nick Nurse. And speaking of the coach precisely, if that of the Raptors is known to be an outstanding tactician and a monster of adaptation, it would seem that the use of Scottie Barnes this season is not ideal either. One more factor that could hinder the friend of Spicy P and Co. in its development.
Not a big fan of using Scottie Barnes on offense this season, there’s a lot of work to do. He is a physical and technical monster close to the circle, often found in a corner or three-pointer as he sinks 90% of matchups and creates huge shifts on the move.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) December 6, 2022
We let you click on the tweet to read the opinion of Mike Laviolle, journalist for the Toronto Express close to the Raptors. So, bad use of the coach or slight mental tilt of the young player? A question not so quickly answered if one is not in the head of the two main interested parties.
And if the versatile forward has progressed behind the arc, the percentages are still not great (32% on 3.7 attempts per game). So not sure that the best strategy is to play offshore, especially given the threat posed by the dino in post-up. The sophomore, however, only plays the position twice per game this season, or only 11.4% of his possessions.
Scottie Barnes is not the first player who happens to cap out of a big rookie season. And while it’s interesting to note the issues facing the young raptor, whether they come from his own choices or those of Nick Nurse, there’s no need to worry yet. Barnes’ steel mind should help him out, and the Toronto pack should be able to resume the hunt soon. Wait and see, but coaching help would be welcome.