Raptors: Charles Barkley guarantees Scottie Barnes will win ROY

The Toronto Raptors have been buoyed by the emergence of rookie stud Scottie Barnes this season, as his rise from raw Florida State defensive specialist to a legitimate offensive weapon has been genuinely inspiring to watch. Barnes went from a Rookie of the Year afterthought to a legit contender for the award and media darling.

Barnes is averaging 16.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game this season. Not only has Nick Nurse given him a ton of responsibility on the defensive end, but he’s given him a green light to shoot from mid-range whenever he pleases. He’s not prime Dirk Nowitzki yet, but he’s certainly further along in that area than most expected.

Barnes’ hot start is not just a phenomenon that has been limited to Toronto, as his penchant for highlight-reel plays has helped him command the spotlight from the larger basketball media landscape. The always loquacious Charles Barkley is a big fan of Barnes and his potential to take home some silverware this year.

On a recent podcast appearance, Barkley seemed to be all-in on Barnes’ Rookie of the Year potential, as he emphatically decreed that Barnes will be able to beat out some of the players drafted above him and give the Raptors their third ROY winner.

Will Toronto Raptors star Scottie Barnes win Rookie of the Year in 2021-22?

The biggest competitor Barnes has for this award at the moment seems to be Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley. While Barnes has the slight edge in the eyes of many at this point, it looks like these two will be locked in a very tough battle for this coveted prize.

The top two selections in Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green will likely give Barnes a challenge for this award, but they will need to overcome some historic production from No. 4 to do so.

Barnes recorded 170 points and 85 rebounds while making over half of his shots in his first 10 games. The only other player since 1985 to do that? Some dude named Shaquille O’Neal. When his offensive start is taken in tandem with his defense it becomes clear that he is a truly elite young prospect still scratching the surface of how good he can be.

Even though the Raptors are relatively young compared to the rest of the NBA, they already have two Rookies of the Year under their belt in Damon Stoudamire and Vince Carter. Mobley, Green, and Cunningham will all give Barnes a run for his money, but he has enough talent to fend off those challenges.