Scottie Barnes has garnered a lot of attention to start this season.
He is currently having a a tremendous third year leap. Through 8 games, Barnes is averaging 21.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.1 blocks per game.
The most impressive part has been Barnes’ efficiency. He is shooting it 48.5 percent from the field and 38. percent from three.
Barnes is not only getting his offense rolling, but his defense has been just as standout. He continues to impress fans, media members and even former players.
Austin Rivers who played for the Minnesota Timberwolves last season spoke about Barnes on The Ringer. While he’s amazed with Barnes’ skillset, he says that he wants Barnes to be the ‘Scottie Pippen’ to somebody else:
Austin Rivers wants Scottie Barnes to be a “Pippen” player to somebody else and compares it to Aaron Gordon Orlando/Nuggets situation
[Via @ringernba ] pic.twitter.com/hLKvCrLDXN— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BasketballOnX) November 10, 2023
Rivers compared Barnes to the Aaron Gordon and Denver Nuggets situation. He talked about how Aaron Gordon was trying to be go-to scorer with the Orlando Magic. However once he accepted who he was and his new role, he has become one of the most vital pieces on the Denver Nuggets.
To think of Barnes as just a complimentary piece this early into his career is doing him a major disservice.
Barnes has already showcased that he’s more than just a role player or a sidekick. He did that with his performance against the San Antonio Spurs. Barnes took over when his team was struggling and scored 17 of his 30 points in the final quarter.
Barnes is off to a great start this season and he has plenty of room to grow. It’s way too early to label Barnes as just a complimentary piece to a star player.
JJ Redick reveals what ideal team would look like around Barnes
Someone who has accepted that the Raptors can build around Barnes is JJ Redick.
Redick recently spoke about what the ideal team would look like around Barnes.
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