3 emerging storylines to watch ahead of Raptors-Celtics game
By Mike Luciano
2. Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam at PG
We know that Fred VanVleet is one of the best point guards in the league, as his ability to shoot from 3-point range and play pesky defense makes him a truly unique arrow in Toronto’s quiver. After trying and failing to replace his minutes, Toronto leaned into both of their point forwards, and they’ll do so again this year.
Barnes got some minutes as the primary ball-handler when Nurse took most of the starters out, and he showed signs that last year’s performance in that role was not a fluke at all. Siakam saw fewer minutes at point, and some iffy turnovers muddied his time in the Utah game.
Will Scottie Barnes fill in at point guard for the Toronto Raptors?
Both Barnes and Siakam are going to get chances to replicate VanVleet’s production, barring either Banton or pro-am legend Malachi Flynn waking up and somehow becoming a viable NFL backup. With those options off the table, the Nurse needs to see how far along Scottie and Pascal are in adapting to this role.
The Raptors managed to get along just swimmingly in the win-loss column last year despite VanVleet being overworked, but his body is unlikely to withstand a second season of such egregious punishment. VanVleet barely even needs to play. Just let Scottie run point from the jump.