The Toronto Raptors got themselves a good one in Scottie Barnes. The electric rookie has been mightily impressive for the team, as he's been a sharply-honed Swiss Knife for Nick Nurse. His ability to do anything and everything on the court has been a godsend for this young team this season.
His latest exploits against the New York Knicks will only add to the hype around him. Scottie Barnes put up an all-around stat-line that hasn't been seen from a Raptors rookie since… Tracy McGrady. (via StatMuse)
Scottie Barnes all-round game tonight:
12 PTS
15 REB
3 AST
2 STL
2 BLKHe’s the second Raptors rookie ever with a 10/15/2/2/2 game. The other was Tracy McGrady. pic.twitter.com/NOVXzugyYN
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 11, 2021
Scottie Barnes and Tracy McGrady play completely different games from each other. McGrady was fierce, scoring nearly at will from any spot on the court. Barnes, on the other hand, is a versatile player, able to be what the team needs at the moment. Yet both represented a bright spot for a young Raptors team in their rookie seasons.
Barnes' infectious energy and style of play has captivated the hearts of Toronto fans. Unfortunately, the win column does not quite show the same love for the team. The Raptors are just 11 – 14 even after their win over the Knicks, as inexperience and injuries have caught up to them. Still, there's reason to be optimistic about the future of this team, thanks in large part to Barnes.
Hopefully, the on-court production is the only thing that Barnes takes from McGrady though. The former Raptors forward unceremoniously demanded a trade away from Canada, blossoming into a star on other teams. Based on the Barnes' comments about Toronto and the franchise, though, it's safe to say he'll be here for a long time AND a good time.
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