From what we've seen so far, I think many could make the fair assessment that RJ Barrett is tailor made for a playoff atmosphere.
He has largely been the Raptors' second driving force in this series, behind Scottie Barnes, and forming a very formidable trio for Toronto with rookie Collin Murray-Boyles carving out quite the first postseason sample for himself. And while the bread and butter of RJ Barrett's game is his ability to provide offense, he has complemented that consistent scoring ability with elevated defensive intensity here in a series where every bit of that energy is needed.
Members of the Raptors personnel took the stage on April 28 to address the media in post playoff practice scrums, and in the media availability of head coach Darko Rajakovic, he was asked what RJ Barrett has shown him thus far in this environment.
To which, Rajakovic made a key note before diving into his insight on the 25-year-old Canadian standout: "Anytime there is a playoff series, anytime there is hard times, I think when you say "What is a player made of?" or "What is a team made of?" I think we're always finding out that there is more. [...] It's constantly pushing the envelope more. Whatever was the best in maximum the day before that, once you reach that, you're searching for new highs. And that's what this playoff series is showing us."
Darko Rajakovic highlights RJ Barrett's ability to impact Raptors wins in the playoffs
The Raptors head coach went on to add: "With RJ in specific, it's really showing how much he cares, how much he's trying to help the team win and he's finding different ways to do that."
Staying on the topic of RJ Barrett, Rajakovic was subsequently asked about Barrett's defensive uptick and if that is a fair assessment. He replied: "Yeah, I think that's a very fair assessment. [...] He's going to try to do whatever it takes to help the team win, and in this playoff series, besides his scoring, it's his ability to guard his matchup and he's stepping up to that and doing a really good job."
Now it’s not so much that other players in the Raptors’ pecking order aren’t also living up to this mantra. Coach Rajakovic also took the time to shout out Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram in the same response. But for a guy like RJ Barrett, who can often get the short end of the stick as a polarizing NBA talent, it’s uplifting to see him using the postseason stage to flip the script on his discourse. Barrett continues to be an offensive force and is also building on the areas where some have had their grievances with his impact.
It’s one thing to have your defense called into question during the regular season, but in the playoffs, there is little room for excuse regarding subpar defense or a lack of effort. Lapses like that will quickly get you taken out of a playoff outlook. In Barrett’s case, he’s been a playoff riser in more ways than one, and it’s clearly gaining recognition from the key personnel.
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