Brilliant in the Raptors’ victory over the Wizards floor last night, Scottie Barnes (27 points at 12/19, 8 rebounds) displayed his full offensive and defensive panoply and recalled how complete his game was. Used as a wide pivot on placed play, the rookie made his size / speed combo speak to destabilize Washington’s defense, surprised by such an unconventional 5 post.
” When he splays, his size speaks volumes, and I think he can use that size to his advantage.” noted Nick Nurse after his team’s victory. ” Tonight, he received the ball in his spots, or he went to the spots where he excels. And he worked well.”
Play to your strengths
Rather than taking wide shots, an area in which he is not (yet) at the point (31% last arc), Barnes made his imposing physique speak and was content to punish near the circle: 9 of his 12 shots have come in the Wizards’ line. Although he distributed only one decisive pass during the meeting, his mere presence in the racket made it possible to trigger defensive aids and therefore create gaps for his teammates.
A certain physical advantage that Nick Nurse intends to develop: “ It all depends on the defender who is on him, and the type of defense he offers against him. This evening, their pivot was his vis-à-vis and their defense was therefore in “drop”. They haven’t “switched” a lot on the screens. I think there were even more opportunities to serve him when he opened up to the circle. It’s one of Pascal’s favorite actions [Siakam], when he puts down a screen and opens towards the circle. Scottie can take the seed.“
Become ever more “all-around”
The archetype of today’s modern NBA winger, tall, powerful and fast, a good passer and defender, Scottie Barnes does not intend to rest on his laurels. If his first season with the pros is very good, the native of Florida does not set a limit to his progress.
” I’m developing my game every game this season. I’m constantly working on it, improving my shooting, my runs in transition. My game will continue to develop, to expand. So I don’t limit myself to one aspect, because over time I will continue to grow in all aspects.“
| Scottie Barnes | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2021-22 | TOR | 35 | 35 | 47.0 | 31.4 | 71.8 | 2.8 | 5.1 | 7.9 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 14.4 |
| Total | 35 | 35 | 47.0 | 31.4 | 71.8 | 2.8 | 5.1 | 7.9 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 14.4 | |
