The Toronto Raptors have surprised many outside of their fanbase with how much they've been winning in the early part of this season. And in the big picture, one of the biggest catalysts for their success has been the unselfish play of RJ Barrett, who is constantly putting the good of the team over his own individual glory.
“He’s a guy that isn’t worried about where his shots are coming from, what plays are being run for him,” Garrett Temple said. “He’s just going out and, as a lot of guys say, getting it out of the mud. He’s gonna find his way to score his 18, 20 regardless, and we need that without having … to run plays for RJ Barrett. That’s a great weapon to have.”
Temple's words to speak to the winning attitude that Barrett has built as a now six-year veteran in this league. He's not trying to be an efficiency darling and make sure that his numbers look good at the end of the night. Instead, he's bringing substance in the form of shot creation when the offense stalls, making tough drives to the hoop, and being willing to take on difficult assignments without complaining. That's a total winning player.
RJ Barrett's maturity is elevating the Raptors
This has been such a wonderful thing for Raptors fans to watch this season. Barrett has been shifting into any role Toronto needs him to without much trouble. Whether that looks like playmaking, moving off the ball, finding ways to score late in the clock, playing tough-nosed defense or any combination of the above. It's not hard to see why he's so beloved, and why he's getting overlooked by the national audience.
RJ's teammates continue to speak on his maturity, and his ability to be something of a swiss army knife for this team. His teammates know that he's one of the primary reasons this team has reached the level they're currently playing at, and now it's just going to be a matter of everyone else catching up to that realization.
RJ Barrett is only 25 years old, and yet we can see him growing and maturing in front of our eyes. His decision-making has improved considerably from the earlier years in his career, and it's clear that he's anticipating the flow of the game much better than he did before.
The NBA is full of wings who can light up box scores, but it's not necessarily filled with guys who actually do everything required to help create a winning environment. RJ Barrett is becoming that kind of player.