Raptors: Scottie Barnes details trash talk with Quentin Grimes

The Toronto Raptors have very few reasons to be loud and boisterous, but the play of young standout Scottie Barnes is one of the highlights during what has been a very difficult season. Quentin Grimes and the New York Knicks found out just how deadly Barnes can be.

Barnes helped Toronto pull off an overtime win at Madison Square Garden, as his 26 points were key in helping the Raptors continue their generally successful play against a division rival in New York. Barnes also set social media on fire after taunting Grimes.

Barnes started to go viral after wagging his finger at Grimes, saying that the Knicks wing “is not him.” After piling up 19 points and seven rebounds in another home victory against New York, Barnes was able to back up his trash talk with substance. Scottie gave us a window into how he mentally needles opposing players.

“I always started talking trash; if you go look at me in high school and middle school, you’ll see me always talking trash,” Barnes said. “A lot of people like it…I get overhyped sometimes, I just can’t help myself so talk a little trash, but I don’t talk a crazy amount of trash,” Barnes added.

Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes talked trash to Quentin Grimes

Barnes has averaged 18.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game on 51% shooting since the start of 2023, which are numbers that look like what someone who is “him” should be compiling in his second season. The change in his role has been the main reason for this success.

Nick Nurse hasn’t had the most amazing season from a tactical point of view, but he should be heralded for getting Barnes to operate more like a point center and attack the basket. His overall efficiency and free throw attempts are up, as are his assists.

Barnes’ jovial personality and continued improvement have been one of the very few positives that Raptors fans can hold onto this season, as Toronto is fully aware of the fact that they can build around him in the next half-decade. His play in the new year is what Toronto always envisioned for him.

Barnes is by no means perfect, but it is clear that he is starting to work out some of the kinks in his game and gain confidence at the same time. Grimes is a fine player, but he still has to surmount quite a few mountains to be considered on Barnes’ level.