Scottie Barnes in having a special season 7 games in. He has posted 20+ points in 6 straight games and seems to be getting better each outing.
Barnes is coming off his best performance yet. He had 30 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks and 5 3-pointers in the comeback win against the Spurs. He scored 17 of his 30 in the fourth quarter and single handedly took over the game:
Scottie Barnes in the 22-point comeback:
30 PTS
11 REB
6 AST
3 STL
3 BLK
5 3PThe first player to reach those numbers or better in the 21st century. https://t.co/IgJfa335MS
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 5, 2023
Every Raptors fan relates to what Darko Rajakovic said about Barnes after the game:
“I’m blessed to have a player like him,” Darko Rajakovic on Scottie Barnes, who scored 17 of his game-high 30 points in the fourth quarter as the Raptors came back from down 22 — and 17 in the fourth — against the Spurs.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) November 5, 2023
One of the biggest factors in the Barnes leap so far is Darko Rajakovic. He is the ultimate player development coach and seems to have a great relationship with the players.
Rajakovic was instrumental in the development of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane with the Memphis Grizzlies.
It’s no surprise that Rajakovic is helping get the most out of Scottie Barnes’ game thus far.
Rajakovic has given Barnes more freedom in the offense and with the playmaking duties.
He realizes that he has a special player in Barnes and the best may be yet to come for both sides.
Barnes’ odds for the most improved player of the year increase
Barnes has gotten off to a picture perfect start in his third season. He is averaging 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists on 60.9 true shooting percentage.
As a result he is now the second most likely player to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player award this season, according to sportsbooks. He sits at +600 on DraftKings. Only Tyrese Maxey at +200 has shorter odds to win the award.
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