The Toronto Raptors are pretty well represented at All-Star Weekend for a team mired in chaos and with a ton of questions. Pascal Siakam will play in the actual All-Star Game, but Scottie Barnes started the Rising Stars Game.
After Barnes was caught off guard in an embarrassing performance during last year’s Skills Challenge alongside Tyrese Maxey, Barnes sought redemption in this game series. Of course, the reigning Rookie of the Year didn’t disappoint viewers of the NBA world.
Barnes, who was part of a team overseen by future Hall of Famer Pau Gasol, won the Rising Stars Challenge. While Barnes didn’t single-handedly lead his team to victory, he certainly flashed many of the skills that make him one of the league’s brightest youngsters.
Barnes uncorked one of the best highlights of the night by sweeping into the alley, stretching his arms out in such a way that would make Mr. Fantastic blush, and slamming wildly. If Barnes decides to turn it on, he’ll be as much a box-office hit as any sophomore in the league.
Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes stood out at the Rising Stars game.
As part of the pre-game celebrations, Barnes was microphoned for the duration of Rising Stars practice. Raptors fans know what an outgoing and social guy he can be, but the rest of the league (if they’ve tuned in on the NBA app) got a taste of this personality, too.
A memorable exchange during that practice session was when he and New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado argued over Barnes taking a halffield shot while warming up. Alvarado later hit a game-winning shot that helped Barnes and Gasol’s team win the exhibition.
Barnes also chatted with Orlando Magic rookie and Rookie of the Year leader Paolo Banchero. Despite being right-handed by nature, Barnes recounted how his first shot in professional basketball was a left-handed skyhook against the Wizards.
Barnes looked like the standout finisher and dynamic athlete that Raptors fans have come to love in recent years. Regardless of the intensity of the game, fans across Canada need to get a kick out of seeing their hometown star flex his muscles and bring his warm personality to the larger basketball world.
Source: raptorsrapture.com
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