Scottie Barnes did a little bit of everything in his rookie season, at times playing both point guard and center while showing off his immense versatility. Barnes became just the 19th rookie in league history to average over 15 points, seven rebounds and at least 3.5 assists. One of the other 18? Magic Johnson.
Barnes' numbers and play caught the eye of the Magic man himself with the Lakers legend going so far as to say he sees a little of himself in the Raptors' rookie.
“There’s definitely a lot of ‘Showtime’ in him,” Johnson told Murtz Jaffer of the Toronto Star. “He can do everything on the basketball court much like myself.
"He’s big. He’s strong. He’s physical. He can make his teammates better like I was able to do and he’s a matchup nightmare like I was.”
The higher praise coming from the Laker legend has been warranted. Barnes has been a huge positive for the Raptors this season. Head coach Nick Nurse has counted on the rookie to play multiple positions, including point guard this year. Barnes thrived when he was in a playmaker role recording 21 games of five assists or more this season.
His best game this season came against Magic's Lakers where Barnes recorded a career-high 31 points and pulled down 17 rebounds.
Like Magic, Barnes is in a tight race for the Rookie of the Year award. Barnes was named a finalist for the honour alongside Evan Mobley and Cade Cunningham. The winner of the award has yet to be announced.
MORE: Barnes vs. Mobley vs. Cunningham and the key stats to know in ROY race
Mobley and Cunningham's seasons may be over but Barnes will attempt to extend his on Saturday when the Raptors hope to stave off elimination in their best of seven series against the 76ers.
After missing the last two games of the series with an ankle injury, Barnes will be hoping to give the home fans one last chance to appreciate the mini Magic they've seen this season.
