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3 reasons Raps’ Scottie Barnes deserved ROY over Cavs’ Evan Mobley

By Quinn Minnich

Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers and Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors. Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers and Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors. Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images /
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Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images /

#1: Playmaking

You may be thinking, “there is only a 1.0 assist difference between Barnes and Mobley, so the playmaking abilities can’t be much different.” Well, if you thought this, you are wrong.

Scottie Barnes has shown flashes of being a very good playmaker, as in 15 games, he has had 6 or more assists, while Mobley has only had 3 of those games. Also, Barnes’ season-high in assists was 10 assists against the Denver Nuggets, where he played as the primary ball handler, since All-Star Fred VanVleet missed that game.

Also, according to NBA.com’s tracking data, Barnes averaged 7.1 potential assists per night, while Mobley averaged 5.3. Also, Barnes averaged 49.8 passes per night, while Mobley averaged 41.6. You may think that since Barnes had more passes, he would’ve had more turnovers. Nope. Barnes averaged 1.8 turnovers, while Mobley averaged 1.9. Barnes had a higher assist ratio, assist percentage, and assist-to-turnover ratio.

The counting stats are there, but also the eye test, too. Whenever you watch Toronto’s games, you can see the vision Scottie Barnes has. It may not be today, or even next year, but someday I believe that Barnes will be a high-level facilitator.

Mobley is a quality passing big himself for a young player, but Barnes is just at a different level in that regard, with him being able to function as a primary playmaker at times, also, and that’s significant in showing his versatility.