Scottie Barnes has quietly emerged as not only the new face of the Toronto Raptors, but also one of the best young players in the NBA this year.
While he doesn’t have the mainstream name recognition of some of his peers, players around the league have a ton of respect for Barnes’ overall game.
This week, however, the 22-year-old went viral for something of a funny reason: a conversation he had with Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
The chat largely speaks for itself:
— MVP43🐐 (@StepBackPascal) February 23, 2024
Olivia Dunne’s Hotel Room Photo Causes A Stir: https://t.co/gL7AMd9Xze
— Game 7 (@game7__) February 24, 2024
As do the subsequent reactions:
I understood everything he said
— Raps gen⛈️ (@RaptorsGen) February 23, 2024
What Giannis heard 😭💀 pic.twitter.com/dmx0N2vI7M
— Paul Atwine (@PaulAtwine) February 24, 2024
— 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗶™ 🏴☠️ (@TheSamerAli) February 25, 2024
For sure was just nodding to nod 😂 pic.twitter.com/FhYmHAc3Uw
— Cj Blonde (@velour46719379) February 23, 2024
imagine english ur second language and you hear this 😭😭
— 🇮🇳 MD_SAMEER (@SocailSameerINC) February 24, 2024
Nobody
Scottie Barnes: pic.twitter.com/4fUn5VvvtV
— Adam Brashear (@doriansherrod_) February 24, 2024
scottie barnes is literally my favorite player in the NBA and i have no idea why his fans on twitter are so soft
— ev (@_evanpgray) February 23, 2024
Never beating the allegations 😂 I love him ngl
— Goooooo_Biiiiirrrrdddssss (@AntMan1098) February 24, 2024
dawg speaking in hieroglyphs.
— Ya, Madala. (@YoungMadala) February 24, 2024
Brittany Mahomes’ Wild Boat Party Photos Go Viral https://t.co/kgv0mCJNK0
— Game 7 (@game7__) February 24, 2024
Antetokounmpo has obviously been in the news recently for his complicated relationship with Damian Lillard and calling out the Bucks for being dysfunctional, so him being in the headlines isn’t a huge shock.
Barnes, however, is less used to the spotlight.
McKayla Maroney’s Last Video Before Quitting Social Media: https://t.co/ttZ4MziD4E
— Game 7 (@game7__) February 23, 2024
It will be interesting to see how he handles it.
Barnes is on his way to being one of the bigger stars in the next generation of top-tier NBA players. What his ceiling ultimately is, though, is definitely up for debate.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
