Raptors: Scottie Barnes is having a better season than Chris Duarte

The Toronto Raptors managed to strike gold with their selection of Scottie Barnes with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Not only has Barnes lived up to the hype as a defender and passer, but he’s already shown that he can be a reliable offensive player in this league.

While this rookie class already appears to have some stars, as Evan Mobley is making things happen in Cleveland, Barnes’ averages of 18.1 points and 8.9 rebounds across his first seven games show that he’s already capable of being an impact player on the offensive end much earlier than expected. The improvement from college is already tangible. 

Barnes is leading rookies in points and rebounds per game, but that hasn’t stopped the NBA from giving him a nice serving of disrespect. The league still doesn’t think he’s been the best rookie this year, as Indiana Pacers rookie Chris Duarte has apparently been more impressive this season.

NBA.com’s rookie ladder had Duarte over Barnes on their “Rookie Ladder”, with Mobley, Jalen Green, and Franz Wagner rounding out the top five. The fact that Barnes is STILL being overlooked by the media at large despite his stats, impact on defense, and highlight-reel plays is simply puzzling.

Toronto Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes is playing better than Chris Duarte.

On top of the fact that Barnes is outscoring the 24-year-old Duarte, which is the only string to his bow at this point in his career, but Scottie has done so while playing excellent on-ball defense. The Raptors have asked Barnes to be a primary or secondary scoring option, and he’s filled that role with flair and confidence.

In addition, Duarte is playing on a 1-6 team that is completely discombobulated. 4-3 might not make it seem like the Raptors are a championship contender, but the fact that Barnes has been producing on a team that is contending for a postseason spot gives his production a bit more weight and impact behind him.

Just a few games into his career, Barnes already looks like someone that is just a jump shot away from being a primary offensive option. That will take some time, but the fact that he is so advanced in every other facet should put him firmly above someone like Duarte in the hypothetical ROY debate.

Duarte is not a bad player by any means, but Barnes has the edge over their first seven games, two of which were Raptors wins that came at the expense of Duarte and the Pacers.

Giving the top rookie honor, at least after a few weeks, to a 3-and-D wing over someone that can impact the game in as many different fashions as Barnes seems a bit reckless.