Scottie Barnes was one of the surprise stories of the 2021/22 season, winning Rookie of the Year honors and helping the Raptors return to the playoffs. In an interview with Steve Aschburner of NBA.com, Barnes said he understands the game even better now after spending a full season in the league.
“I really know the difference in what it takes to win and how hard each and every game is,” Barnes explained. “So it takes a certain amount of effort every night. I’m really trying to stay consistent with the effort I make on the offensive end and the defensive end. Trying to score points and make winning plays. Try to pull out these wins, because it’s hard to win a game in the NBA. Every possession really counts.”
The 21-year-old forward, who returned to the court tonight after an injury scare over the weekend, focused on off-the-dribble moves during the summer to expand his offensive arsenal. Coach Nick Nurse wants Barnes to become more aggressive in trying to score whenever he has a mismatch.
“I’m a natural passer,” Barnes said. “The first thing I look for, I try to make the right play. See who is open. Try to draw the defense. But it’s just … me trying to be more aggressive, they give me the confidence to do that. That allows me to try to find those mismatches in any way possible. Through pick and rolls or out on the floor. It doesn’t really matter who’s on me, I’ve got to try to do what I do.”
There’s more from Toronto:
- Rookie center Christian Koloko was looking forward to his first matchup with Sixers star and fellow Cameroon native Joel Embiid tonight (video link). Koloko told reporters he hopes it will inspire youngsters in the African country to see two Cameroonian players face each other in the NBA.
- Raptors president Masai Ujiri was fined $35K for approaching the scorer’s table during Saturday’s loss to Miami and “directing inappropriate remarks toward a game official,” the NBA announced (via Twitter).
- Otto Porter Jr., who still hasn’t made his debut with the Raptors, missed another game tonight with a strained hamstring, tweets Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports. Nurse said Porter is getting closer to being ready, and with just one game over the next four days, there’s hope that he will benefit from extra practice time.
After Doc Rivers timeout at 20-24, Raptors take advantage by leading 13 points. After that, 76ers are not able to recover
NBA TV coach of the year Sam Mitchell is worried about Doc Rivers
At this point its when not if with him getting canned
As a sixer fan,totally agree. Lost the team. No effort on defense, horrendous body language on the court. Do it now.
can Topper manage the Sixers too?
It isn’t just Doc. It’s the weight of the over hang of not performing up to expectations, much less exceeding them since Embids first year is dragging this team down.
They are charged with expelling all ghost and discharging all dissatisfaction going all the way back to the Dawkins and Hawkins era.
On paper they look like they have it. In reality they do not have a defined identity outside of Embid.
No identity equals no direction. Without direction no chemistry can develop on any team.
It results in whose going to be the hero tonite basketball versus playing basketball tonite.
It’s an aimless as all get out deal.
Lmaoo I love Masai