Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors may have discovered something in plain sight. Scottie Barnes shows great promise as a point guard.
Immanuel Quickley has missed the last four contests due to an injury. That has left Barnes to take on more playmaking responsibility alongside Jamal Shead, often operating as Toronto’s primary ball handler.
The results have been eye-opening.
Barnes has been nothing short of amazing in those four games, averaging 18.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 12.3 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks. Very few players in NBA history are capable of producing that kind of all-around stat line.
His unique, do-everything style of play has also led to an impressive milestone.
More history for Scottie Barnes
While playing against the Orlando Magic, Barnes became the 12th player in NBA history to record 400 assists and 100 blocks in the same season.
Playmaking responsibilities are usually reserved for smaller guards who can quickly bend defenses, while shot blocking is typically the domain of athletic big men.
Barnes does not fit into either archetype, yet he continues to produce at a high level on both ends of the floor. He combines the vision and basketball IQ of a point guard with the defensive instincts and versatility of a center.
The only other members of the 400 assists and 100 blocks club are some of the most versatile players in NBA history. Some of the names include: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Draymond Green, Joakim Noah, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Garnett, Scottie Pippen, and Michael Jordan.
That is elite company.
What position should Scottie Barnes play going forward?
Seeing this achievement, combined with his recent success filling in for Quickley, raises an important question: should Scottie Barnes be Toronto’s starting point guard?
Many fans have suggested that Quickley may be better suited as a natural shooting guard, meaning Toronto’s starting lineup would not necessarily need to change.
The only real concern is the energy required to run an offense full-time. Taking on a slightly reduced on-ball role this season has allowed Barnes to elevate his defensive impact. It may be difficult to maintain that same level of intensity if he is tasked with being the primary initiator every night.
Still, the results are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Toronto is 3-1 over this stretch, and Barnes is producing some of his most efficient performances of his season.