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During his epic rant about the refs following a loss to the host L.A. Lakers, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic made a comment that may have flown under the radar amid his fury.
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To wit, he referred to Scottie Barnes as a potential face of the NBA.
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Let’s face it, the rookie head coach was defending his prized player when the whistle went against the Raptors, a fact of life in a league where losing teams do not get the benefit of a call, whether it’s legit or not.
Barnes certainly has come of age in his third season, but he remains an incomplete product with much room to grow.
During one of the team’s road swings that took the Raptors to San Antonio, the Raptors and Spurs needed overtime to determine the game’s outcome.
On one eye-popping move that clearly showed Barnes’ evolution, he found himself outside the three-point arc.
One dribble, one side-step heave later and his attempt found nothing but net.
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Of all the encouraging signs displayed by Barnes — and there have been many — that singular play highlighted his potential.
As the Raptors reach the season’s mid-way point sporting a 15-25 record with a home date against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, it can be argued Barnes’ game has stagnated.
Recording a double-digit rebounding night for the first time since a loss in Boston back on Dec. 29 cannot be dismissed.
Playing solid defence on Jayson Tatum when fellow Celtics running mate Jaylen Brown (knee) was a late scratch is nothing to sneeze at, either.
Alarm bells do go off when only 10 points are scored, tying for the second-fewest manufactured by Barnes this season in the wake of Toronto’s 105-96 loss to the visiting Celtics — who have now won eight straight against the Raptors and will likely continue to dominate in this matchup moving forward.
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The 40 minutes and 40 seconds Barnes played Tuesday night represented a season high in a non-overtime game, But not a single three-point shot was made and not a single trip to the charity stripe was earned.
Great players in the NBA do not allow their defensive intensity to compromise their offence.
No one is going to suggest Barnes falls into the category of great, but he has emerged this season by showing enough encouraging signs that greatness may be fulfilled.
That time is not now and it may not reach its potential at any time this season. Additional complementary pieces must be acquired to reduce the burden being placed on Barnes.
More importantly, the Raptors need to find a way to win games. Losing is never good and it often leads to bad habits and even worse attitudes.
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The trade to acquire two starters in RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for one in OG Anunoby had its predictable bump as the Raptors won three of their first four games following the deal with the New York Knicks.
Toronto enters its tip versus the Heat now having lost four straight.
Barnes’ size and skill are more than capable to turn him into that quintessential two-way player, the kind of player that merits the status of being a star.
Not entirely by default because his game clearly merits it in the context of what has been assembled around him, but Barnes is the face of the Raptors franchise.
What Monday night against Boston underscored was the road Barnes must continue to endure. He has made strides and gains, proven to be the best on the floor on certain nights, but more awaits.
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The entire season hinged on Barnes’ growth and how much of a development presence Rajakovic would have on this unit, which continues to be a work in progress and will require even more work if and when Pascal Siakam gets traded.
With any team in any sport when the season’s half-way point arrives, reflection becomes inevitable, as does projection.
Rajakovic has done a decent job with the parts he has been given and has shown an ability to adapt.
Defensively delinquent in Utah when the Jazz annihilated the Raptors by scoring 145 points, the Raps were much better on defence against the C’s by going with half-court traps and being less vulnerable with their on-the-ball coverage.
Toronto lost, in part, because it did not make shots from distance.
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Barnes needed to step up, but he didn’t. One day he will, at least that’s the hope.
Until then, there will be more nights such as Monday when Barnes is capable of being a presence in areas not involving putting the rock in the hole.
Boston has a face in Tatum. In fact, the C’s have two when one includes Brown.
Tatum’s ball-handling and ability to take over games in crunch time stick out when assessing his maturity. Brown’s defence and overall game can easily be traced.
Barnes, on the other hand, isn’t there yet.
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These are tough times for the Raptors, but Barnes needs to push through and soldier on knowing so much will be asked, so much more to be gained individually and collectively.
His current teammates, naturally, can help by making shots on nights when Barnes’ offence goes missing.
Toronto turned the ball over only seven times in Monday’s loss, more than a tolerable total that normally translates into a win.
Barnes accounted for four on a night he made only five shots, which cannot be tolerated or repeated.
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