Noisy Barnes already making presence felt at camp
TORONTO – Scottie Barnes has but to play an actual NBA recreation, however the gregarious rookie is rapidly turning into some of the common Raptors.
He’s a cheering, clapping human vitality drink, and his new teammates grinned throughout Monday’s media day as they recounted tales of his time to date in Toronto.
If it’s uncommon for a 20-year-old rookie to immediately step right into a vocal function on a brand new staff, Barnes shrugged and stated he didn’t suppose twice.
“At this stage, you may’t be shy. You’ll be able to’t be attempting to look too cool,” Barnes stated after his first coaching camp observe Tuesday at OVO Athletic Centre. “It’s simply the soiled issues that you have to do on the ground, that’s what’s going to must be taking place. It’s probably not that tough. I’m not a shy man. I’m simply going to be who I’m regardless of the place I’m at.”
The Raptors chosen the Florida State ahead, identified for his stifling defence, with the No. 4 choose within the NBA draft. Twice earlier than the Raptors selected fourth — Chris Bosh in 2003, and Antawn Jamison in 1998, who they traded for Vince Carter.
Expectations for the younger participant can be lofty this season, however to date he’s earned nothing however reward, together with from head coach Nick Nurse who stated Barnes will play a “big function” this season.
“I might think about he’s going to get as many reps as doable, and that’s begin subsequent Monday evening (when Toronto hosts Philadelphia within the pre-season opener),” Nurse stated
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“He’s a clapper, you realize, like, ‘Let’s go, let’s go, let’s play D.’ He simply likes to speak, he likes to smile and he enjoys, he loves the sport, and he performs that approach.”
At six foot 9, and boasting a seven-foot-two wingspan and large Kawhi Leonard-sized fingers, Barnes has lengthy been touted for his versatility. He has the power to play all 5 positions, and along with his velocity and ballhandling, he’s been in contrast to a degree guard in a ahead’s physique.
If he left one field unchecked, it was his capturing. He shot simply 27.5 per cent from three-point vary in faculty, and his robotic capturing fashion has drawn some criticism.
No shock, he spent an excellent chunk of his time within the low season engaged on his shot.
“Each day, simply getting increasingly more reps, it’s a technique of day by day getting extra reps, simply fixed capturing,” he stated.
What tweaks has he made?
“Simply the discharge on my shot on my fingers. Taking pictures off of two of my fingers, and simply pushing to my facet a bit of bit. It has been (feeling extra pure). We’ve been working quite a bit the final two months. I really feel like I’m getting higher at it each single day.”
Barnes, who acquired a style of the NBA through the summer time league, stated the largest adjustment from faculty is the velocity of the sport.
“It’s fixed operating, the ground is longer, larger so you need to be in actually good situation,” he stated. “The blokes are larger, stronger and you may actually really feel it at this stage. In order that’s actually about it, simply staying in situation, getting your wind proper, having the ability to run up and down the ground the place it’s going to take a excessive stage of conditioning.”
Feels like onerous work received’t be an issue for Barnes.
“Works onerous, you’re going to see him to be first within the fitness center, final to exit,” stated Goran Dragic, the 13-year NBA veteran who arrived in Toronto as a part of the sign-and-trade take care of Miami for Kyle Lowry. “He’s acquired that persona that it’s distinctive, and I actually like him. He’s acquired a vibrant future. I can already see that. It’s humorous, he’s actually humorous.”
Pascal Siakam snickered as he recounted passing Barnes within the hallway after staff physicals lately. Barnes gave Siakam a leaping chest-bump, like he’d simply scored a game-winner.
“He’s simply an thrilling child, he’s thrilling to be round, and he simply has a fantastic presence and it’s actually, actually enjoyable to see,” Siakam stated. “I really feel like he would possibly beat me when it comes to vitality simply because he’s all the time blissful, all the time excited.”
It’s partly his humour and all-around good-natured manner — evident in his social media presence — that has endeared him to Toronto followers.
On the heels of the draft, he penned a letter on The Gamers’ Tribune titled “What’s Good, Toronto?” during which he talked about his pleasure round enjoying for Toronto, and the love he’d already skilled from Raptors followers.
Followers adopted him on Instagram Dwell whereas he walked about Toronto exploring his new metropolis, and he earned raucous applause when he threw out the primary pitch at a Toronto Blue Jays recreation — additional cranking up the hype across the younger participant.
Followers will get a primary glimpse of his on-court enthusiasm Monday towards Philadelphia.
“I believe he needs to be a part of the staff, it’s sort of like ‘Let’s do that all collectively,’” Nurse stated. “I believe he’s vocal and demonstrative in that, and who doesn’t love that?”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Sept. 28. 2021.
© 2021 The Canadian Press
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