Scottie Barnes Praised by Kevin Garnett, Called ‘Mini Joker’

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Scottie Barnes was an All-Star for the Raptors this yr.

Toronto Raptors ahead Scottie Barnes was praised by basketball Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, who referred to as Barnes a “mini Joker.”

Barnes led the Raptors again to the playoffs this yr, as they tackle the Cleveland Cavaliers beginning on Saturday in what is among the most intriguing first-round playoff matchups.

Speaking on the KG Certified Podcast forward of the NBA playoffs, the basketball legend Garnett had nothing however excessive reward for Barnes, evaluating him to a different nice, Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic.

“Listen, man, Scottie Barnes don’t get enough credit for what he does. He’s like a mini Joker. Scott Barnes does everything. I wouldn’t be surprised if he led Toronto in every category, real (explative). I wouldn’t be surprised for the next decade if he just run that, because that’s his, that’s his to have, bro. That Scottie Barnes, I want to see him take the game over, go guard the best players, switch everything, like man, he got an IQ, take it full court, you don’t stop him, you take it on your head, come back down and try to steal it,” Garnett stated.

“I love young fella, man, he don’t get enough praise, man, he’s the north, man. He plays both ends, bro. Shoutout to Scottie Barnes, man. Shoutout to him and (Brandon) Ingram, man, and the Raps. I’m a fan of the Raptors. I like that young group, man. I like what they’re doing up there.”

Scottie Barnes Could be All-NBA This Year

Barnes had a terrific season for the Raptors as he led the crew again to the playoffs for the primary time in 4 years, when he was a rookie. The Raptors improved from simply 30 wins final season to 46 wins this yr, whereas securing the No. 5 seed within the Eastern Conference alongside the best way. Barnes was additionally named to the All-Star crew for the second time in his five-year profession, as he performed 80 video games whereas averaging 18.1 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per recreation, 5.9 assists per recreation, 1.5 blocks per recreation, and 1.4 steals per recreation. When the NBA awards are revealed, Barnes has an excellent likelihood to be on the All-NBA First Defensive Team, in addition to doubtlessly making the All-NBA Third Team after having a terrific yr for the Raptors, main them again to the postseason.

Garnett is One of the NBA’s GOATS

Garnett is among the best NBA gamers of all time. He was drafted fifth total out of highschool in 1995 and went on to play 21 seasons within the NBA, with 14 of these years coming with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the place he gained the NBA MVP award in 2003-2004. Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2007 and went on to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in addition to the NBA Championship. Overall, he was a 15-time All-Star, 12-time All-Defensive participant, nine-time All-NBA participant, and he was voted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020 in his first yr of eligibility, alongside fellow legends Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan.

Adam Martin Adam Martin is a sports activities journalist with over 15 years of expertise. He has a speciality in MMA, whereas additionally masking the Big 4 Sports. Adam is at the moment a contributor to Heavy.com, with earlier expertise working for The Toronto Star, Sportsnet, theScore, Bookies, BJPenn.com, and MMAOddsbreaker.com. More about Adam Martin