"Barrett became Toronto's offensive life blood in the playoffs. He scored 24 points a game while finishing the vast majority of those in traffic with at least one center standing between him and the basket. His push shots and floaters were the staple diet of Toronto's offence, the rice of the meal. They weren't all he offered. He ran in transition, he crashed the offensive glass. (His rebounding skyrocketed to 7.0 a game in the playoffs, far above anything he has ever averaged in the regular season.)"
"All told, he had, by far, the team's best offensive on/offs on the team in the playoffs. The offence basically collapsed when he hit the bench. The team's 3-point rate and accuracy skyrocketed when he played because he was more or less the only consistent paint touch on the team. Without Barrett, the team was dead in the water in the playoffs. With him, it had a chance."
"It was the best Barrett has ever been, both in the micro - game winner! - and in the macro. Of course, it all wasn't quite enough. Barrett being a team's second-best player was not enough for the Raptors to win a round in the playoffs. They came close, but this ain't horseshoes, and nor is it hand grenades."
"The thing is, Barrett shouldn't be a team's second-best player. He performed immaculately in the role. But if the Raptors have their druthers, that won't happen again. Whether that is because the team has upgraded, or because Barrett is elsewhere, will be determined this offseason. But Barrett has put a claim in; he is trying to become a legend as the hometown kid. Barrett has laid the foundations in Toronto. Nothing is guaranteed. But don't be surprised if Barrett's 2025-26 is just the start."
RJ Barrett became Toronto’s primary offensive driver in the playoffs, scoring 24 points per game while finishing most attempts with a center between him and the basket. His push shots and floaters formed a core part of Toronto’s offense, supported by transition runs and offensive rebounding. His rebounding rose to 7.0 per game in the playoffs, far above his regular-season averages. Toronto’s best offensive on/off impact came with him on the floor, and the offense collapsed when he was on the bench. Toronto’s 3-point rate and accuracy increased when he played because he provided consistent paint touches. Without him, the team struggled to generate offense, while with him it had a chance.
Read at Raptors Republic
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