Toronto Raptors star RJ Barrett has been inactive since March 12, missing the team’s last eight games as he mourned the tragic passing of his younger brother, Nathan. He had been away from the team for over two weeks, and it would have been completely understandable if he took the remainder of the season off, given that the Raptors are on a 12-game losing streak and have been eliminated from postseason contention.
However, he returned to practice on Thursday and his status has gone from personal to personal/conditioning, meaning he is gearing up toward a return to the Raptors lineup. Barrett has been a leader for the Raptors in his 27 games since being brought over from the New York Knicks at the trade deadline. And in a leadership move, he spoke to the media directly about his brother.
He gave his reasoning for wanting to return and what is at stake for him in the final nine games of the 2023-24 season, via Lindsay Dunn of City News Toronto:
“I’ve had some people in my life pass, but I think this one hit a little harder for me. This one is definitely a little different, it’s a lot tougher and I just think that I’ve gotta push forward every day. Be able to try and figure it out, because if I know my brother, he would want me to be here. To be playing, to try and continue to make the Barrett legacy grow.”
Barrett was obviously emotional when discussing his brother and how he wants to grow the Barrett legacy, and it took a great deal of strength for him not only to return to practice, but to speak so openly about what is undoubtedly a devastating situation.
Because Barrett was a lottery pick and is in his fifth NBA season, it’s easy to forget that he is only 23-years-old. And to show that strength and perseverance is a testament to who Barrett is as a person and a player. The Raptors are certainly happy to have him back and will continue to support him however they can.
Michael Porter Jr. comments on Raptors’ Jontay Porter
Raptors big man Jontay Porter is in the midst of an investigation into potential gambling issues, and his brother — Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets — spoke on his behalf. He said that he knows Jontay’s love for the game and would be shocked if he did anything to jeopardize that career.
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