Has to be predating an even larger, rookie-based award for Barnes, right?
Barnes averaged 16.6 points per game, 7.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 50.5 percent from the floor. His points, rebounds, assists, and field-goal percentage all rank above his season averages.
Perhaps his best moment came on March 18 when Barnes faced down the King, LeBron James, going toe to toe with him, back and forth, all the way through overtime. The Raptors would have won if it weren’t for Russell Westbrook hitting a shot that he has not made for a long, long time. He finished with 31 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, and a steal, scoring with relative ease in practically every way.
Barnes is on a surefire path to superstardom. He improved all the way throughout his rookie season, and erstwhile rookie walls were tiny in the face of his unfurled arms. Barnes will be on to great things. This is only the start.
