NBA Notes: Raptors, Scottie Barnes, Knicks, Mitchell Robinson, Celtics

Raptors

Scottie Barnes is stuffing the defensive stat sheet again and the impact is loud.

As relayed by Eric Koreen of The Athletic, Barnes is the only player in the league averaging at least 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. He is currently at 1.6 and 1.6 (through Friday).

Toronto likes him roaming on the weak side and blowing up possessions.

“He has been doing it for a long time, so there is not much new there on the defensive end,” head coach Darko Rajakovic said, via Koreen. “He is just getting even more experienced.

“He is getting to know the league and tendencies of the players even better. Scottie is a big part of our scouting preparation.”

Toronto has had a nice open to the season, and Barnes has delivered consistent defensive chaos.

Knicks

Mitchell Robinson did not have real extension discussions with the Knicks before the season, per Ian Begley of SNY.

Begley added that he is skeptical that anything will get done during the regular season.

Without a doubt, Robison projects to do very well on the open market next summer if he is healthy.

“The most likely path here is Mitchell Robinson hitting free agency and then seeing what the market is like,” Begley said. “There are going to be teams with cap space. If he is healthy, he is going to be very attractive on that open market.”

Basically, the Knicks appreciate Robinson, but they also know what cap math looks like.

Celtics

Payton Pritchard opened up to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints and talked about identity. One word stands out for him.

“I look at the word relentless as a means to define who I am,” he said. “It is an undying hunger to always keep getting better and better. Always striving for more.”

Pritchard said he treats every day as a new chance to improve. That is how he carved out his role in Boston and how he plans to keep climbing.

He said it is a mindset.