There’s something special going on in Toronto. Just a few years after Kawhi Leonard’s departure, the Raptors are on the verge of having a legitimate contender in the East.
At the center of it all is 20-year-old Scottie Barnes, who was just tapped as the NBA’s Rookie of the Year.
This weekend, Barnes went viral for winning the award, but also for the amazing moment he first heard the news from Raptors legend Vince Carter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUq29qaocpI
It’s an absolutely awesome scene and a true testament to how passionate Barnes is about the game and his status as a star in the league.
There are other candidates who could be considered “worthy,” but Barnes’ consistency and impact on the game are ultimately what got him ROY honors in the end.
“The Raptors as a team have been battling injuries and lineup uncertainty all year long, but Scottie Barnes has been one of the few constants for them and a major reason why they remain in the thick of the playoff race,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. “He’s the only rookie this season to rank in the Top 5 in every major statistical category, and he’s doing so with a combination of averages that put him among an elite class of rookies all-time, the most recent being Luka Doncic. But stats aside, if impacting team success on the court is taken into account for the Rookie of the Year award like it is MVP and All-Star honors, Barnes has been the most impactful rookie in the NBA this year from start to finish.”
In 74 games played, Barnes averaged 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game on 49% shooting. After a rough start, he helped lead the Raptors to a 5th place finish in the East with a 48-34 record overall.
After Saturday’s victory over Philadelphia, they narrowly avoided a sweep in Round 1. We’ll see before too long if they’re capable of completing the comeback.
