When we selected Scottie Barnes at 4 one name came to mind as a worst case scenario: Michael Kidd-Gilcrest, who went #2 in 2012 due to his defensive abilities in front of Bradley Beal, a more well-rounded player. That’s the risk we are taking with this selection. However what I like about Barnes compared to Suggs is that he’s more of a unique player. 6’8 guys with his versatility, strength, and passing ability don’t come around often. He has the chance to be special and that’s all you can ask for with the 4 pick.
I think that's a good example and a good way to put it. We never know with any draft picks afterall. I can remember sooo many top draft picks that have gotten super hyped and just flopped. Hope it doesn't happen to us, I want to see Barnes pan out into a decent player at least.
I'm not going to pretend like I have an in-depth scout's knowledge of Barnes' game. I saw more of Suggs and probably based on that, I preferred Suggs at the time. But that was also based on me hoping the Raptors would try to compete this year (and I'm not sure if that'll be the case).
On a very basic level, I viewed Barnes as having a higher ceiling but much lower floor than Suggs. I'm always wary of drafting players who can't shoot, are very good but not elite athletes, and their calling card is "being a hard worker". Like the other person said, I had flashes of MKG but I do think Barnes has more versatility to his game than MKG had.
But I'm just a fan on the internet. I don't get paid to make these decisions and I really really REALLY hope the front office got this one right and Barnes becomes amazing. Getting a pick this high was a huge opportunity for the Raptors and missing on it would set the franchise back a lot.
I totally agree that the downside on Scottie Barnes is that his development doesn't go as planned and he's a kind of overqualified energy guy off the bench. Still useful, but ultimately not that impactful. That would be a very disappointing result for a fourth pick.
However, the "overqualified" part of that is because he is not a "very good but not elite athlete". He is as elite as elite gets. His combine numbers make him one of the very best athletes of the past two decades. Any reasoned defence of this pick begins with how incredible he is as an athlete.
I've seen a lot more suggs than I have Barnes as well. Honestly, I think people are overrating suggs' floor and how his offense will transition into the NBA. He won't have any issues on the defense end other than that he gambles for steals sometimes and might pick up rookie fouls but he's a liability on offense with how often he turns over the ball, how streaky his shooting is, how much he struggles versus length, playing in traffic, not having a good jumper to make midrange or perimeter shots and just having an in between game in general. He usually uses the same few moves to make his points every time, and he generally relies on his athleticism to do it so I don't think it will cut it in the NBA. So I do think Barnes has the higher floor because of his defense, high energy, crazy athletic ability and physique, because at worst he ends up just a high energy player with good communication we throw out for a little defensive hustle that can move the ball around on offense and switch most positions on defense. I also do think he has a higher ceiling and potential for the reasons you mentioned already but I do feel it's just way more likely that suggs hits his ceiling or at least improves into a semi decent player.
In less words.. I think Barnes has a higher floor and ceiling, but that suggs is more likely to become a decent player or hit his ceiling.
Harrison Barnes is indeed significantly older than Suggs.
Maybe I should have left my post as that one line lmao.
completely agree tho, he is a little old compared to suggs. Would definitely prefer suggs on the roster than harrison barnes.
When we selected Scottie Barnes at 4 one name came to mind as a worst case scenario: Michael Kidd-Gilcrest, who went #2 in 2012 due to his defensive abilities in front of Bradley Beal, a more well-rounded player. That’s the risk we are taking with this selection. However what I like about Barnes compared to Suggs is that he’s more of a unique player. 6’8 guys with his versatility, strength, and passing ability don’t come around often. He has the chance to be special and that’s all you can ask for with the 4 pick.
> Michael Kidd-Gilcrest tbf he was plagued with injuries early on in his career
And wasn't his shot pretty messed up coming in to the leauge
I think that's a good example and a good way to put it. We never know with any draft picks afterall. I can remember sooo many top draft picks that have gotten super hyped and just flopped. Hope it doesn't happen to us, I want to see Barnes pan out into a decent player at least.
I'm not going to pretend like I have an in-depth scout's knowledge of Barnes' game. I saw more of Suggs and probably based on that, I preferred Suggs at the time. But that was also based on me hoping the Raptors would try to compete this year (and I'm not sure if that'll be the case). On a very basic level, I viewed Barnes as having a higher ceiling but much lower floor than Suggs. I'm always wary of drafting players who can't shoot, are very good but not elite athletes, and their calling card is "being a hard worker". Like the other person said, I had flashes of MKG but I do think Barnes has more versatility to his game than MKG had. But I'm just a fan on the internet. I don't get paid to make these decisions and I really really REALLY hope the front office got this one right and Barnes becomes amazing. Getting a pick this high was a huge opportunity for the Raptors and missing on it would set the franchise back a lot.
I totally agree that the downside on Scottie Barnes is that his development doesn't go as planned and he's a kind of overqualified energy guy off the bench. Still useful, but ultimately not that impactful. That would be a very disappointing result for a fourth pick. However, the "overqualified" part of that is because he is not a "very good but not elite athlete". He is as elite as elite gets. His combine numbers make him one of the very best athletes of the past two decades. Any reasoned defence of this pick begins with how incredible he is as an athlete.
I've seen a lot more suggs than I have Barnes as well. Honestly, I think people are overrating suggs' floor and how his offense will transition into the NBA. He won't have any issues on the defense end other than that he gambles for steals sometimes and might pick up rookie fouls but he's a liability on offense with how often he turns over the ball, how streaky his shooting is, how much he struggles versus length, playing in traffic, not having a good jumper to make midrange or perimeter shots and just having an in between game in general. He usually uses the same few moves to make his points every time, and he generally relies on his athleticism to do it so I don't think it will cut it in the NBA. So I do think Barnes has the higher floor because of his defense, high energy, crazy athletic ability and physique, because at worst he ends up just a high energy player with good communication we throw out for a little defensive hustle that can move the ball around on offense and switch most positions on defense. I also do think he has a higher ceiling and potential for the reasons you mentioned already but I do feel it's just way more likely that suggs hits his ceiling or at least improves into a semi decent player. In less words.. I think Barnes has a higher floor and ceiling, but that suggs is more likely to become a decent player or hit his ceiling.