Raptors: 3 reasons to get hyped about the Scottie Barnes pick
By Shaun Suares
2. Insane defensive potential
While his offensive game needs work to catch up to NBA speed, defense is where Scottie Barnes really excels. His game has shades of a young Andre Iguodala, in some respects, as both have very similar builds and skillsets coming into the league.
Weighing in at 227 pounds with a 7-2 wingspan and a 9-0 standing reach, Barnes is everything you want in a defensive wing. If he gets caught on the pick, he moves laterally extremely well to guard smaller players and is big enough to handle some Centers as well.
In college, he was tasked with guarding the opposing team’s playmakers, which he handled with ease. His big Kawhi-esque hands allowed him to get deflections and pick the passing lanes, which resulted in leading his team with 1.5 steals per game (2.4 steals per 40 mins).
He takes pride in keeping the pressure on his man- often as soon as they inbound the ball. While Barnes doesn’t have a reputation as a shot-blocker (averaged 0.5 Blocks per game), he is relentless and tenacious on D, which will result in forcing turnovers and blocked shots on the weak side.
Barnes is super confident in his ability to clamp down on opposing teams:
"I don’t back down from nobody [defensively]. It’s about how tough you are, whatever you’re willing to do. I’m willing to do those things. I’m tough when I’m on the floor. I’m not gonna get bullied. I sit on defence. I guard full court. I guard the ones, the twos, the threes. I take pride in that stuff"
Scottie Barnes can guard multiple positions on defense.
A potential lineup featuring Barnes, OG Anunoby, and Pascal Siakam would create matchup problems for most teams, as they can switch with ease, disrupt the point of attack, and force turnovers that turn into instant offense in transition.
He communicates at a high level, knows how to read the floor and when to help. His versatility could prove to be a trump card for Coach Nurse as he tinkers with various lineups and defensive schemes throughout the season.