Draymond Inexperienced ‘an enormous fan’ of Scottie Barnes

Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors could 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 talent or sheer will,” Inexperienced advised The Athletic’s Eric Koreen. “It’s a combination of all of that. It’s a combination of talent. 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 identification in Inexperienced, however maintains that the 2 are nonetheless various kinds of gamers.

“After all you possibly can see some similarities in our video games — how he performs defence, bringing that depth,” stated Barnes. “His imaginative and prescient on the ground I may see. I’d say you possibly can 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 might be lots 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 a number of the identical distinctive expertise and defensive influence in Barnes.

“Draymond is so distinctive that there will not be many gamers to check him to, however Barnes is an efficient 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 you understand is he’s kind of a degree ahead. I believe it’s a really acceptable comparability.”

The pair shared an extended embrace after the ultimate buzzer, with the four-time NBA champion letting the second-year ahead understand how 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 an enormous fan of yours. I like to see you play. I like your development. And I’ll most likely say it once more subsequent time I see you.’”

Barnes and the Raptors will tackle the Portland Path Blazers on Saturday for the third recreation of their seven-part street journey.

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