The Raptors can't undo the lost time during RJ Barrett’s knee injury this winter, but it’s clear that both he and Toronto are working hard to make up for the impact and importance that was missing while he was sidelined.
RJ Barrett, despite facing detractors and questions about his long-term fit, has firmly established himself as a key part of the Raptors' current system. However, shaking off ring rust — especially after a knee injury — is never simple, and it's understandable that returning to his previous form requires time and reps.
Since becoming consistently healthy in February, Barrett has been gradually regaining his rhythm, but recent performances still showed the rollercoaster of results of a player working to find his groove once again (much like another key Raptors piece in Jakob Poeltl).
I recently discussed Barrett's struggles during a difficult stretch when he appeared to be a defensive liability (still means for discussion at times), made questionable shot choices, and lacked efficient offensive production. His glaring weaknesses in key matchups (especially in crunch time) raised my concerns about whether he should even be on the floor, as I noted that this could potentially hinder the Raptors' future ambitions — especially with the playoffs creeping up.
While I initially took a more critical stance in that piece, I was simply reflecting on what Barrett had been demonstrating up to that point. As a key part of Toronto’s future and a player consistently put under the spotlight, I also believed that the Raptors and Barrett could find a way for the "Maple Mamba" to reemerge as a reliable threat once more. Although the team’s recent performances have been a mixed bag, it’s encouraging to see Barrett leave his mark as Toronto’s most significant offensive force, showing a refined edge and renewed confidence.
Raptors have to be delighted that RJ Barrett looks like himself once again
In his last five games, RJ Barrett is averaging 24.4 points on 62.0 percent shooting from the field and 45.8 percent from three, along with 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists. He’s led the team in scoring three times during this stretch, even if Toronto has experienced more losses than wins in this period. Meanwhile, Brandon Ingram, the Raptors' other key scoring threat, has experienced a decline in impact and efficiency. While that is concerning in and of itself, Barrett’s resurgence stands as a silver lining.
From the tape, I’ve observed Barrett taking his time and showing patience when creating offense for himself. While there are still possessions where his attempts to score against strong contests can be a bit concerning, he’s been able to finish effectively or successfully get to the line (the free throw concerns are still there though).
Recently, I feel that he's been trending away from just forcing shots and instead making better decisions, which is a positive development — especially considering how polarizing his offensive style can be. I also understand that when RJ tries to take control, it’s often during moments when no one else is able to produce, and he sees it as an opportunity to be the one to drive the play.
As I mentioned in my previous RJ piece, he offers a distinct option from the Raptors' other key contributors. He is undoubtedly the team’s best slasher, always hunting for opportunities inside and unafraid to drive into traffic. While that aggression can sometimes work against him, as it appeared to do not long ago, it remains the defining trait that sets him apart.
Although Barrett's recent efforts may not be enough to earn another Eastern Conference Player of the Week award for Toronto, especially since the team hasn't been consistently winning, his name still stands out in those conversations. It's a great turn of events just when the Raptors needed it most, and hopefully the "Maple Mamba" continues to slither back into the spotlight, as Toronto can put together a key string of wins.