Jalen Duren received far more All-NBA ballots than Scottie Barnes, prompting criticism of the selection process. The only explanation offered is that voters do not watch Toronto Raptors games enough to evaluate Barnes against other players. Barnes’s case is supported by his defensive performance, including All-Defensive Second Team recognition, at least 100 steals and 100 blocks, and leading the league in clutch blocks. He also contributes offensively as Toronto’s offensive engine, finishing second in total points and leading the team in total assists. His two-way impact helped drive a successful Raptors season that exceeded expectations with a 46-36 record.
"Absolutely ludicrous to me that Jalen Duren was on like 89 ballots or something for All-NBA and Scottie Barnes was on nine," Vecenie said on the May 25 episode of the Game Theory Podcast."
"I don't know how you can watch Scottie Barnes and Jalen Duren and go, 'Yes, Jalen Duren is the better basketball player,'" Vecenie continued. "I don't know how you can do that in the regular season. We saw it in the playoffs, but even in the regular season. It really does just come down to people don't watch the Raptors.""
"Barnes has an excellent case to be considered one of the best five defenders in the NBA. Not many players can truly guard every single position, as he did for the Raptors this season, and he was the only player to finish the regular season with at least 100 steals and 100 blocks. On top of that, he led the league in clutch blocks."
"He is also the Raptors' offensive engine. Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett may have averaged more points per game than Barnes in the regular season, but he finished second in total points behind only Ingram and led the team in total assists. He does everything for the Raptors on both ends of the court, and it led to a ton of success this season."
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