The Toronto Raptors want Scottie Barnes to take more three-pointers.
That’s exactly what Barnes did when the Raptors blew out the New Orleans Pelicans last week. The Pelicans dared Barnes to shoot and he kept firing away.
Barnes finished just 2-for-12 from deep in that game. It was a poor three-point shooting night, but it was a reflection of his determination to take more threes than ever before. Through his first 10 games of the season, a third of Barnes’ shots have come from deep.
Unfortunately, his increased output hasn’t resulted in an improvement from three-point range.
Barnes is shooting 27.3 percent on three-pointers, the lowest mark of his career. On catch-and-shoot opportunities, he’s been better, hitting 35 percent of those looks. However, his pull-up three-point attempts have not been falling. However, Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic has not lost faith in the 23-year-old and wants him to continue to be aggressive.
“I’m not comfortable with that number at all,” said Rajakovic who was asked if seven three-point attempts per game is a good number for Barnes to hit. “I want him to shoot more threes. I want him to take every three that he has open…if that’s certain nights means 12 threes, shoot 12 threes.”
Despite a down year from three thus far, Barnes has certainly not lost his confidence. He is taking advantage of having the green light.
“If I feel like I’m open, I’m ready to shoot it. If they’re going to give me that space, give me that time, I feel confident in my shot,” Barnes said on Monday following practice. “I’m working on it every single day and it feels great to me. Every one I release I feel like it’s going in.”
Barnes has played in 6 games since returning from his orbital fracture. He has played quite well averaging 21.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists. If Barnes can find his three-point stroke from last season, he’ll truly take his game to another level.
Scottie Barnes ranked no. 11 in ESPN’s top young stars list
The young Toronto Raptors star is in the midst of playing some of the best basketball of his career. In his last 6 games since returning from injury, Barnes has been averaging 21.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists.
ESPN put out their NBA 25 under 25 list, ranking the 25 best players under 25-years-old and they ranked Barnes at No. 11.
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