Positive plays from the Raptors' final preseason game

"Scottie Barnes playing disruptive off-ball defence is the most likely of all these positives to continue throughout the regular season. He already has an incredibly strong track record of swallowing up space and making instinctual, athletic plays as a free safety of sorts, and that shouldn't change. Yet it will still be critical to the Raptors defence, as their ultra-aggressive pressure principles will inevitably require more help from the backline."

"In this play Barnes is the low man, stationed on the weak side, meaning he is responsible to help on a drive or at the rim. First, when the pass to a rolling Day'Ron Sharpe is deflected to the Brooklyn big under the basket, Barnes times his help perfectly, allowing Sandro Mamukelashvili to recover. Then he anticipates Sharpe's pass out from under the basket perfectly and uses his length to deflect and steal the ball, fuelling a transition opportunity for RJ Barrett."

"The start of a new season is a time for hope. With a zero in the loss column and a roster full of potential and intrigue (almost) anything is possible. So, we're here to keep it positive, and highlight a few plays from the Raptors' final, and most promising, preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets. Ok sure, it's the Nets, and for that reason and for the usual preseason caveats, these results have to be taken with a grain of salt."

The Raptors enter the regular season with optimism after a 4-2 preseason and a roster full of potential. Preseason results require caution and context, but certain plays point to actionable strengths. Scottie Barnes showcased disruptive off-ball defence, operating as a weak-side low man who times help, deflects passes and generates steals. Those instincts allowed a transition opportunity and highlighted how backline defensive playmaking will be essential to support the team's aggressive pressure principles. Maintaining Barnes' defensive impact and converting stops into transition offense represent key factors for success in more competitive games.

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