The Toronto Raptors are the one Canadian group within the NBA, with their high canine in the mean time being Scottie Barnes. Regardless of his electrical defensive efficiency this season, he did not obtain the respect from the American media he deserved, particularly when it got here to handing out end-of-season awards.
As soon as upon a time, there have been two Canadian-based groups within the league. Along with the Raptors, there have been additionally the Vancouver Grizzlies. They solely lasted six years earlier than transferring to Memphis. The entire mess of shenanigans that led to which can be totally lined in multiple documentary.
Whereas most gamers, coaches, and executives do not appear to have an issue with a Canadian NBA presence, some American writers and broadcasters nonetheless do. There has lengthy been a bent to dismiss the only Canadian franchise and its gamers as irrelevant. That impacted Barnes this season.
Finish-of-season awards are voted on by what is known as a world panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. In actuality, the overwhelming majority of these persons are American and usually vote for gamers on American-based franchises. Lots of them simply do not pay a lot consideration to the Raptors.
Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes was robbed of not less than two NBA honors
Barnes has been within the league since 2021 and has spent his complete profession with the Raptors. In 2025-2026, he discovered a brand new gear and took a serious step in the direction of being a real celebrity, main his group to the playoffs with an distinctive and constant defensive effort. He positively earned some recognition.
Regardless of his wonderful defensive play, he was fifth in Defensive Participant of the 12 months voting behind Rudy Gobert, Ausar Thompson, Chet Holmgren, and the eventual winner, Victor Wembanyama. Whereas nobody anticipated Barnes to beat Wemby, he definitely outperformed the gamers in second, third, and fourth.
Being named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Staff makes even much less sense. Since he was fifth in DPOY voting, he ought to have been a shoo-in for the First Staff. There are 5 spots to be given out, in any case. As a substitute, Derrick White was named to the First Staff whereas the highest 4 DPOY vote-getters made up the remainder of these placements. Barnes was the one one within the DPOY high 5 not noted.
If Barnes, an American athlete, performed for an American-based franchise, he would have been in not less than the highest three in DPOY voting and would have made the NBA All-Defensive First Staff. Not less than he was named an All-Star this yr, voting for which is finished by followers, gamers, and coaches along with the media.
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