Scottie Barnes never gave 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.
During a brief pre-game ceremony ahead of 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.
“It’s still surreal to me, still crazy,” said Barnes, who was named to the East’s team on Feb. 6 as an injury replacement. “It’s crazy playing in the all-star game. It’s a dream. “Nothing I’ve really thought about but it’s a dream, I guess. But I’m just so happy. I’m blessed.”
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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.
Barnes won’t be new to the celebrations throughout the weekend, but it will be his first time playing in an all-star game. He participated in the league’s rookie-sophomore competitions during his first and second seasons.
“I had an amazing experience so being able to play an all-star game I know it’s going to be exciting,” said Barnes. “It’s going to be a fun weekend.”
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, Barnes, 22, 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 is a responsibility that hasn’t always come easily to Barnes.
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Rajakovic said he and Barnes had spoken about the importance of consistent effort and remaining positive, even when he’s on the bench.
“I want him to make a different mistake, and to learn from that one, and to get better. And to make another mistake, and learn from that one, and move forward.”
Siakam, who led the Pacers to victory in Toronto on Wednesday, also advised Barnes on what it takes to be the most important voice in a locker room.
“It’s going to be a lot of ups and downs,” said Siakam. “There’s going to be things that’s not going to look so good and there’s going to be days where it’s going to be amazing, it’s going to be great.
“I think that he’s just got to be able to take those kind of waves and as he continues to learn from it, he’s going to grow. He’s going to get better at it and as long as his head is in the right place.”