Raptors' Barnes reflects on tough season, vows to embrace physicality
Toronto Raptors star Scottie Barnes wasn't too impressed with his level of play in his fourth NBA season.
"Shooting was a problem for me this year," Barnes told reporters Monday, including TSN's Josh Lewenberg.
"It was my first year having the ball in my hands for real and just finding out what's gonna work for me."
Barnes acknowledged he needs to not shy "away from physicality" and admitted he fell short of the dominance he hoped to display this campaign.
The 23-year-old regressed in most major statistical categories after making his first All-Star team in 2023-24. He averaged 19.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and a block this season.
Barnes also posted career lows in field-goal percentage (44.6) and 3-point percentage (27.1).
He said he focused on developing different parts of his game throughout the campaign but needs to learn how to bring them together each night consistently.
"Some stretches throughout the season, you saw me working on playing a lot in the mid-range, working on fades, getting to the mid, shooting pull-ups," Barnes said. "Different times of the season, you saw me attack and (be) really aggressive getting to the rim, playmaking."
Barnes added that he's confident he'll elevate his game once all the pieces, particularly his shooting, come together. But despite the challenges, Barnes said he still managed to take several positives away from the campaign.
"I'm able to get to my spots. I'm able to play out of the post if I want to, play at the top pick-and-roll. I'm able to find those mismatches," Barnes said.
He also had high praise for his defensive capabilities, saying he feels like "an All-Defensive team type of player."
"Once we start winning, my name is going to be in a lot more conversations. All that stuff is going to come," Barnes said, per Lewenberg.
Although Toronto finished the season sitting 11th in the East with a 30-52 record, the 2022 Rookie of the Year predicted a playoff berth for the Raptors next season.