Draymond Inexperienced ‘a giant fan’ of Scottie Barnes
Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors might have misplaced to the Golden State Warriors on Friday, however the burgeoning star made fairly the impression on the reigning champions.
Barnes scored 24 factors, grabbed six rebounds and dished out 5 assists, whereas registering two blocks and capturing 2-for-3 from past the arc within the Raptors’ 129-117 loss at Chase Heart.
The 21-year-old’s efficiency caught the attention of Warriors’ star Draymond Inexperienced, who heaped reward on his opponent in his post-game media availability.
“I like his recreation as a result of it’s not predicated on sheer ability or sheer will,” Inexperienced advised The Athletic’s Eric Koreen. “It’s a combination of all of that. It’s a combination of ability. It’s a combination of will. It’s a combination of smarts. It’s a combination of size and athleticism.”
Barnes additionally sees components of his id in Inexperienced, however maintains that the 2 are nonetheless several types of gamers.
“After all you’ll be able to see some similarities in our video games — how he performs defence, bringing that depth,” stated Barnes. “His imaginative and prescient on the ground I might see. I might say you would see some similarities, however we’re not the identical.”
As Barnes refines his recreation and comes into his personal as the following face of the franchise, some have in contrast his influence on the ground to Inexperienced’s, a notion that resonates with the veteran ahead.
“He could possibly be loads higher than me,” Inexperienced stated. “I noticed a tweet the opposite day that stated, ‘Scottie Barnes’ ground is Draymond Inexperienced.’ And that’s a rattling good ground. And I imagine that. He’s such a particular expertise.”
Steve Kerr, who has coached Inexperienced since 2014, notices among the identical distinctive abilities and defensive influence in Barnes.
“Draymond is so distinctive that there are usually not many gamers to match him to, however Barnes is an effective one simply with the flexibility and the playmaking,” Kerr stated. “The very first thing you discover about Barnes is he’s elite defensively. The following factor is he’s form of a degree ahead. I feel it’s a really applicable comparability.”
The pair shared an extended embrace after the ultimate buzzer, with the four-time NBA champion letting the second-year ahead know the way a lot he appreciates his recreation.
“I advised him, ‘I say this each time I see you, however I’m so impressed along with your recreation,’” Inexperienced admitted. “‘I’m a giant fan of yours. I like to see you play. I like your progress. And I’ll most likely say it once more subsequent time I see you.’”
Barnes and the Raptors will tackle the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday for the third recreation of their seven-part street journey.
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