Scottie Barnes Emerges as Key to Raptors’ Season Turnaround
The Toronto Raptors have faced a challenging start to the season, marked by inconsistency and defensive struggles. Despite this, several individual performances have offered glimmers of hope, particularly from Scottie Barnes, who is emerging as a key player for the team’s turnaround.
Scottie Barnes: A Growing Three-Point Threat
This season, Scottie Barnes is showcasing significant improvement in his three-point shooting. In the early part of the 2023-24 NBA season, he has averaged 34.1% from beyond the arc, making 1.7 shots on 4.9 attempts per game. His recent performance exemplifies his potential and growth.
Current Shooting Statistics
- Three-Point Percentage: 34.1%
- Shots Made per Game: 1.7
- Attempts per Game: 4.9
Over the initial five games, Barnes has demonstrated a remarkable ability to connect from distance, hitting 55.0% of his attempts (11-for-20). This uptick is especially noteworthy given his previous struggles with shooting.
In the 2024-25 season, Barnes faced challenges, shooting only 27.1% from three, making just 1.2 shots on 4.3 attempts.
Potential for Improvement
Fans are cautiously optimistic that Barnes will maintain his current form. If he can sustain a shooting percentage in the mid-30s for the season, it would align him with successful players like RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram, providing a significant boost to the Raptors’ overall performance.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic has emphasized the importance of shooting and taking opportunities, reflecting a strategic approach that may benefit Barnes and the roster at large. Such encouragement might redefine Barnes’s role as a primary offensive threat, particularly from three-point range.
The Bigger Picture
While individual performances like Barnes’s offer hope, the Raptors have many areas to address. Improving their dynamics and capitalizing on individual strengths will be crucial for a successful season. If Barnes can continue to evolve as a shooter, he might play a pivotal role in revitalizing the team’s fortunes and lifting them out of their current struggles.
