The Toronto Raptors are seven games into the 2023-2024 NBA season, and it appears they have a new top dog. In this small sample size, Scottie Barnes has without a doubt been the Raptors’ best player, leading the team in scoring and steals + blocks (stocks). His new found scoring prowess combined with a clear leap on the defensive end has given some merit to the future superstar expectations that have been placed on Barnes when he was deemed untouchable in any potential Kevin Durant or Damian Lillard trades.
It’s well known in the NBA that the third year of a promising young player’s career is a big fork in the road when it comes to being defined as a star or just a starter. We’ve seen it with the likes of Paul George, Jayson Tatum, and Donovan Mitchell, who all became first time All-Stars in their third NBA season, as they took that all-important step from good to great. Barnes could speak to his own teammate Pascal Siakam about the year three leap, as Siakam himself became the vital number 2 to Kawhi Leonard on the Raptors’ 2019 championship roster, the season he won most improved player.
It’s obviously a tiny sample size, and just about any 7 game stretch is just noise, but if Barnes is anywhere near the player he’s been to start this season, he’ll have a most improved player case himself.
It’s easy to check Basketball Reference and see that Barnes’ stats are up across the board, but the eye test is what’s doing the real talking. His body language looks completely different, and he’s carrying himself with the confidence of a player that knows he’s the best on the floor. For either team.
Take Sunday on the road in San Antonio for example. Barnes led the Raptors on a furious second half comeback, from down 22 points at halftime to an overtime victory. And when it mattered in the fourth quarter, he was at his brightest, pouring in 17 points.
The dunk over Jeremy Sochan with about 7 minutes left put his Barnes’ unbelievable athleticism, strength, and explosiveness on display, as he took over this game
https://x.com/vatorsports/status/1721299468157370818?s=46&t=gw-r9cOxvtAhSgBEivehVQ
Even more impressive was this game tying, step back three pointer with 30 seconds left on the clock. To take, and make, THAT shot in THAT moment speaks to the new found confidence in not only his jumper, but his place on the team.
https://x.com/raptors/status/1721299371914920381?s=46&t=gw-r9cOxvtAhSgBEivehVQ
Barnes’ leap has made the Raptors a must watch team early in the season, but as he continues to blossom into his new-found skillset, it’ll be interesting to see if he can help teammate Pascal Siakam find his game. Siakam has been disappointing early in 2023, but pairing his proven track record with year three Scotties Barnes, the Raptors could have themselves a dynamic duo.