TORONTO: Scottie Barnes never allowed himself an opportunity to analyze his first-ever All-Star Game appearance because he was too preoccupied with the highs and lows of the Toronto Raptors season.
A small pregame ceremony preceded Toronto’s 127-125 loss to the visiting Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. Raptors general manager Bobby Webster gave Barnes an all-star ball. Barnes’ all-star break started the following day, while the actual game is scheduled for Sunday in Indianapolis.
Barnes, who was added to the East team on February 6 as an injury substitute, said of the experience, “It’s still surreal to me, still crazy.” “Taking part in the all-star game is insane. It’s an illusion.
I haven’t given it much thought, but I suppose it’s just a dream. But I’m simply overjoyed. I’m fortunate.
This season, Barnes has averaged 20.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and six assists. He will start alongside Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young in place of Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers and Julius Randle of the New York Knicks.
Despite being chosen as starters and reserves, respectively, Embiid (lateral meniscus injury in left knee) and Randle (dislocated right shoulder) will not participate in the All-Star Game.
Even though it will be Barnes’s first time playing in an all-star game, he has already attended the weekend’s events before. He participated in the league’s rookie-sophomore competitions during his first and second seasons.
“It’s going to be exciting to play in an all-star game because I had such an amazing experience,” Barnes said. “This weekend is going to be enjoyable.”
The Toronto (19-36) season hasn’t been very enjoyable.
Three of the team’s starting players from the start of the season were dealt away as the front staff disassembled the team in four moves prior to the NBA trade deadline. Veteran point guard Dennis Schroder was moved to the Brooklyn Nets, all-star big Pascal Siakam was transferred to Indiana, and defensive mainstay OG Anunoby was shipped to the New York Knicks.
As a result, the 22-year-old Barnes became the team’s face, the focal focus of head coach Darko Rajakovic’s offensive strategy, and the unofficial leader of the locker room. For Barnes, the latter responsibility hasn’t always come naturally.
In a humiliating 122-99 loss to the lowly San Antonio Spurs on Monday, Barnes came off the bench early; the team had punished Siakam for the same action years prior. Later, he admitted that he needed to get better at using his body language when playing games.
Even when he’s on the bench, Rajakovic claimed he and Barnes have discussed the value of perseverance and maintaining a positive attitude.
It will be an adventure. It will be a trip, Rajakovic said. “While I don’t expect him to be flawless, I do expect him to grow from his mistakes and avoid repeating them.
“I want him to learn from that error, make another one, and improve. Additionally, to make another error, grow from it, and carry on.
Siakam gave Barnes advice on what it takes to be the most influential person in a locker room after leading the Pacers to win in Toronto on Wednesday.
There will be many ups and downs, Siakam said. There will be days when everything looks fantastic and days when things don’t look so wonderful.
I want him to learn from that error, make another one, and improve. Additionally, to make another error, grow from it, and carry on.
Siakam gave Barnes advice on what it takes to be the most influential person in a locker room after leading the Pacers to win in Toronto on Wednesday.
There will be many ups and downs, Siakam said. There will be days when everything looks fantastic and days when things don’t look so wonderful.
