So... the Toronto Raptors added another win to their belt, making easy work of the Brooklyn Nets on March 26, as they blew them out with a final score of 116-86. The tank isn't looking too hot, as has been the case since the All-Star break, but hey, it seems like the Raps are just going to ride the wave.
Would you believe that Toronto's leading scorer in that game was not Scottie Barnes or RJ Barrett, but rather the Raptors' reserve center Orlando Robinson? ORob would lead the charge with 23 points on an impressive 71.4% field goal percentage, along with 12 rebounds and three assists.
Now, what I'm going to get at here might sound like I’m knocking on Scottie Barnes a fair bit, but to be completely honest, it’s nothing that hasn’t already become apparent to the rest of Raptors Nation. I have, and will always continue to root for Scottie B, but as much as the 23-year-old has made strides in his defensive efforts, his regressions on the offensive front continue to be a concern.
Barnes did not have the prettiest game, efficiency-wise, against Brooklyn, as he recorded a stat line of 15 points on 35.3% shooting from the field, seven rebounds, and five assists in just over 28 minutes of on-court action.
He finished with a +23 plus/minus for the Raptors, but the glaring weakness in Barnes' once seamless ability to work his way down low and find his shooting touch around the rim seems to have disappeared.
Can the real Scottie Barnes please stand up?
Barnes showed in his tremendous rookie season that despite being early in his NBA career, he proved to be a dominant force for Toronto, scoring effortlessly near the paint. He had that confidence in his game, but as the years have gone by, it seems he may have lost some of that mojo because that aspect of his play doesn't look as polished as it once did.
If you check Barnes' game log for March, with a 12-game sample size to consider, you'll see he's riding a 50/50 split of games shooting over 40% and under 40% in field goal efficiency. Barnes can’t afford to be inconsistent, especially with the Raptors relying heavily on him as arguably their most impactful player.
Even more concerning is that the success of Toronto's gamble on Brandon Ingram may ultimately depend on whether Scottie Barnes can make a significant leap.
It doesn't help that many of these games are against much weaker teams, where Barnes should be able to look dominant. Instead, he appears to be just an average NBA player, leaving Raptors fans frustrated because they know how great he can be.
I made this point earlier in the season when I mentioned Barnes' tendency to fixate on getting foul calls or complaining to the refs instead of focusing on making the easiest basket. I understand that he wants to play through contact, and there are plenty of calls he deserves, but if that strategy isn't working, it's time to abandon it and try a new approach.
This isn't about Barnes declining as a player (at least, I certainly hope not), but I think the background noise and pressure are weighing on him. An offseason break and time to build a new rapport with incoming star Brandon Ingram should do wonders for his mindset.
Perhaps Barnes feels overwhelmed by the expectations to lead Toronto as their best defender, while also being a secondary and sometimes primary playmaker, grabbing tough rebounds, and scoring too.
Nonetheless, resolving this issue sooner rather than later could significantly impact the Raptors' trajectory. The hope is that Toronto's coaching staff and Barnes can collaborate to rekindle his spark for the team's benefit.