In the most recent episode of Inside The Raptors, Postmedia’s Rob Wong discusses Scottie Barnes’ prospects of being an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve and what fans can anticipate from Gradey Dick the remainder of the season with Toronto Sun Raptors writer Ryan Wolstat.
With all the trades and defeat this season, the Toronto Raptors haven’t had many reasons for celebration, but at least they have Scottie Barnes to thank for improving to the point where an All-Star season isn’t an absurd ambition anymore.
This season, Barnes has advanced significantly in almost every category; in fact, Toronto felt confident enough to trade away OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam in order to surround him. It’s unfortunate that the fans, players, and media don’t seem to recognise his contributions while he’s been in Toronto.
With 21, Barnes tied with Siakam and Julius Randle for 11th place among frontcourt players in the Eastern Conference that received All-Star votes. Although the Top six appeared to be pretty certain, there could be some disagreement about players like Jarrett Allen, Kristaps Porzingis, and Mikal Bridges who came before him.
In the fan vote, Barnes came in tenth place, just ahead of Bridges. Not one media vote was cast for him, which is a dramatic decline for a player who, only a few weeks prior, ESPN was projecting as an All-Star starter. The coaches must be convinced of Barnes if he is to make it to Indianapolis.
Barnes’ 21 points tied him for 11th place among Eastern Conference frontcourt players who were selected for the All-Star team, along with Siakam and Julius Randle. There was room for debate regarding players like Mikal Bridges, Kristaps Porzingis, Jarrett Allen, and others who preceded him, even though the Top six seemed pretty certain.
Barnes finished just ahead of Bridges in tenth place among fans. It’s a sharp drop for a player who, just a few weeks ago, ESPN was projecting as an All-Star starter that not a single media vote was cast for him. If Barnes is going to make it to Indianapolis, the coaches have to be won over.
All of this has been accomplished by Barnes on a team that had to overcome some depth concerns and design flaws during Darko Rajakovic’s rookie campaign. Without a Raptors All-Star since the Tampa break, this would be the first season since Siakam and Fred VanVleet appeared in consecutive seasons.
Raptors supporters should get ready for more of the traditional anti-Raptors bias from the national basketball media now that the team’s star power has faded and the rebuilding process is under way. Barnes’s production definitely merits a trip to Indianapolis, but he might get sucked into that.
