There has been a lot of excitement revolving around the Toronto Raptors(5-3) and their fan base. The Raptors last season had to play in Florida due to the COVID-19 restrictions in Toronto. This season, Raptor fans have packed the arena with excitement to finally be able to watch their team.

They had a disappointing season last year, mostly because of injuries and having to play in a different country.

They had the fourth overall pick of the NBA draft this summer, and they took somebody that many didn't expect them to take. That player was Scottie Barnes out of Florida State University. Many people criticized the Raptors front office for making this pick over Jalen Suggs. As we've seen so far, the Raptors front office knew exactly what they were doing.

Although OG Anunoby has been sensational for the Raptors so far this season by averaging over 20 points per game while being one of the best defenders in the NBA. It's hard to imagine anybody expected Scottie Barnes to be this good. The rookie has done things that he wasn't even doing in college.

For that reason, Barnes is the most pleasant surprise for the Raptors this season.

The twenty-year-old Scottie Barnes is already the leading candidate to win Rookie of the Year. Barnes has averaged 18.1 points per game and has also added 8.9 rebounds per game. Barnes has also been highly efficient while scoring the basketball. He ranks in the top 10 of the entire league for field goal percentage among the players who have taken at least 15 shots per game.

Article Continues Below
More Toronto Raptors News
Noa Essengue with a Raptors logo and question marks
Noa Essengue turns heads with Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam comparisons amid RaptorsErik Slater ·
Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett (9) brings the ball up court against Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams (8) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center.
NBA rumors: Nets-Raptors RJ Barrett trade is something to monitorJulian Ojeda ·
Terrence Ross (Washington), right, is introduced as the number eight overall pick to the Toronto Raptors by NBA commissioner David Stern during the 2012 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center.
Raptors’ 10 worst NBA Draft day mistakes in historySpencer See ·
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
Raptors rumors: Toronto ‘unwilling’ to include Jakob Poeltl in Kevin Durant tradeRichard Pereira ·
image thumbnail
Giannis Antetokounmpo trade grades for ESPN’s Raptors-Bucks proposalJedd Pagaduan ·
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri looks on court side before a NBA game against the Miami Heat at Scotiabank Arena.
Raptors rumors: 2 draft targets if Toronto trades downJackson Stone ·

Barnes has drawn comparisons to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Both of the players are long athletic forwards who defend at a high level and can play anywhere on the court. The most impressive attribute the young Barnes possesses is that he can guard any position too. He's shown that he's an elite Defender as he already has 19 total deflections to start the season which ranks in the top 20 of the league.

Barnes has been able to get action early on this season due to Pascal Siakams' injury. He hasn't disappointed with the time that he's been granted.

Obviously, it's tough to make a comparison arguably the best player in the NBA in Giannis. What Barnes has done to start the season though, and how many similar attributes that they have, doesn't make it seem as crazy to compare the two. If he can keep this type of production up, he's going to be a star in this league for the next 15 years.

Toronto looks like they made the right decision with Barnes. It will be interesting to see what they do when Siakam comes back. Barnes has been too good to put on the bench so they will have to look for someone else to fill that bench role. After their disappointing performance last season, the Raptors are going to look to bounce back and make another deep run for an NBA title.  If Barnes continues to play like this, it's tough not to say that Toronto can't win an NBA title.