Raptors Share Thoughts on Scottie Barnes' Developing 3-Point Shot

The Toronto Raptors like what they've seen from Scottie Barnes who is shooting three-pointers with more confidence so far this year

Scottie Barnes is ready to shoot this year.

It’s been the biggest knock on the Toronto Raptors forward since he entered the league two seasons ago. He can play virtually any position on the court, do almost anything with the basketball, but when it comes to shooting, there’s a huge hole in his game. He’s been a 29% three-point shooter for his career and shot just 29.6% on jump shots outside the paint last season.

This year, though, he and the Raptors are hoping to change that. He spent the offseason working to improve his shot and early returns have been overwhelmingly positive. He attempted five three-pointers in the first 17 minutes of Friday’s game and wasn’t the least bit fazed.

“I don’t think that’s that many,” he said Sunday following practice. “I was open, being ready to shoot the ball, being prepared to shoot it. Having that confidence in my shot. That's just the main thing.”

Barnes is 7-for-14 from behind the arc so far this preseason and the increased ball movement from the Raptors this season should only lead to more catch-and-shoot looks for the 22-year-old.

Scottie Barnes Shares Update on Sprained Ankle

If that becomes a reliable shot for Barnes, look out.

“If you’re closing out on Scottie Barnes, like, God help you,” said Raptors coach Darko Rajaković following Friday’s game. “You’re dealing with him going downhill and finishing at the rim or connecting with his teammates. And that's gonna really help his game and it's gonna really help our game.”

The Raptors have told Scottie they want him to shoot this season. If the ball is swung to him and he’s behind the line, let it fly, especially if teams are sagging off of him, daring him to shoot as the Wizards often were Friday.

If teams adjust, Barnes will be ready.

Raptors Sign Omari Moore For G League Squad

“I can see him just working hard and you can tell in his eyes, like, he wants the opportunity to continue to get better,” Pascal Siakam said of Barnes. “I like how aggressive he is, having fun out there playing basketball.

“We already know how gifted he is, so it’s just a matter of him just going out there and doing what he does and using his talent. God already gave you everything, you just gotta do the rest: sharpening the tools and having that process of looking to get better every day, which he’s doing every day now.”

Toronto doesn't need Barnes to be an above-average three-point shooter this season, but he needs to be a threat. If he can do that and opposing teams start closing out harder, Barnes and the Raptors will be able to take their attack to a whole new level.