TORONTO – Scottie Barnes was so preoccupied with the ups and downs of the Toronto Raptors’ season that he never gave himself time to comprehend his first-ever All-Star Game appearance.
During a brief pre-game ceremony on Wednesday, Raptors general manager Bobby Webster presented Barnes with an all-star ball before Toronto’s 127-125 loss to the visiting Indiana Pacers. Barnes’ all-star break began the next day, with the game taking place on Sunday in Indianapolis.
“It’s still surreal to me, crazy,” said Barnes, who was chosen to the East’s roster as an injury replacement on February 6. “It’s weird to play in the all-star game. “It is a dream.”I haven’t given it much thought, but it is a dream. But I am so delighted. “I’m grateful.”
This season, Barnes has averaged 20.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and six assists. He and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young will replace Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid and New York Knicks big Julius Randle.
Embiid (lateral meniscus injury in left knee) and Randle (dislocated right shoulder) will not play in the All-Star Game after being named starters and reserves, respectively.
Barnes will make his first appearance in an all-star game, but he has previously participated in the weekend-long festivities. He participated in the rookie-sophomore games during his first and second seasons in the league.
“I had an amazing experience so being able to play an all-star game I know it’s going to be exciting,” Barnes said. “It’s going to be a fun weekend.”
Toronto’s (19-36) season hasn’t been much fun.
The front staff decimated the squad in four transactions prior to the NBA’s trade deadline, trading away three of the team’s starters from the start of the season. The New York Knicks received defensive stalwart OG Anunoby, Indiana received all-star forward Pascal Siakam, and the Brooklyn Nets received veteran point guard Dennis Schroder.
That transformed Barnes, 22, into the franchise’s face, the focal focus of head coach Darko Rajakovic’s offence, and the de facto locker room leader. Barnes has struggled with the latter task.
Barnes fled the bench early in Monday’s dismal 122-99 defeat to the lowly San Antonio Spurs, a behaviour for which Siakam had been suspended by the organization years prior. He then admitted that he needs to work on his body language during games as well.
Rajakovic stated that he and Barnes had discussed the need of persistent effort and keeping positive, even when he was on the bench.
“It’ll be a ride. “It will be a journey,” stated Rajakovic. “I don’t expect him to be perfect, but I do expect him to learn from his mistakes and avoid repeating them.”
I want him to make a different mistake, learn from it, and improve. And make another mistake, learn from it, and move on.”
Siakam, who led the Pacers to win in Toronto on Wednesday, also gave Barnes advice on what it takes to be the most influential voice in a locker room.
“There will be plenty of ups and downs,” Siakam said. “There will be days when things don’t look so wonderful, but there will also be days when everything is fantastic.
“I believe he simply needs to be able to withstand such waves, and as he learns from them, he will grow. He’ll grow better at it if his head is in the right place.”
The Canadian Press initially published this item on February 15, 2024.
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