In news that ought to surprise no one, Scottie Barnes continues to collect what ought to be only the earliest accolades of his career. A new one for the cabinet: Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February. Certainly not the last one.
Barnes scored 15.2 points per game, grabbed 6.8 rebounds per game, and shot 54.0 percent from the floor over the month. Those are more or less in line with his season-long averages (slightly higher, but in the same vein); he didn’t explode into a new type of player and go on a hot streak but instead simply improved slowly and consistently. Great signs from a rookie. Perhaps most importantly, he shot 37.5 percent from deep, inching his way towards respectability from defenders there.
The Toronto Raptors, meanwhile, went 8-4 over the month of February. Barnes was critical, playing in every game and even scoring 28 points twice in the last week of the month. He also tied the Chicago Bulls with a tip-in to end regulation, and the Raptors went on to win in overtime. He was crucial on the offensive glass against the Brooklyn Nets to end the month, as well. As the Raptors have gone, so too has gone Barnes recently.
Remember: this is only the beginning.
