The Toronto Raptors fell 131-129 to the Brooklyn Nets in overtime Tuesday night. In the dying seconds of the fourth quarter Toronto's Fred VanVleet dribbled to the top of the key and let a jumper fly for the win but it went wide right.
On Wednesday, during The Raptors Show With Will Lou, Alex Wong posed the question: "Should Scottie (Barnes) be the one taking the final shot?"
This was not an indictment of VanVleet's ability, in the clutch or otherwise, as he dropped 31 points and dished nine assists Tuesday.
But simply put, in Will Lou's opinion, "you may as well try."
Outlining his argument, Lou cites VanVleet's smaller stature as a liability in the clutch. As the clock winds down and defence tightens up, the six-foot guard struggles to create the separation needed.
What about another, more experienced, player?
Lou points out that Siakam is looking shell-shocked after missing so many similar potential buzzer beaters last year in Tampa.
"Pascal I just feel he doesn't have the confidence right now, like at the end of games do you see Pascal demanding the ball?" Asked Lou. "There's a confidence thing that needs to be rebuilt."
OG Anunoby is out with a hip injury which leaves Gary Trent Jr. as the other option.
"They've given Gary these clear-out, iso, end-of-quarter possessions. Almost like practising for an end-of-game scenario, but he has not had the chance to do it at the end of the game," said Lou.
You "may as well" try Scottie
Scottie Barnes managed to sink a few tough shots over the Nets' Kevin Durant Tuesday night, including a Durant-esque fadeaway.
Lou explains that this does not mean Barnes should have the whole offence run for him, but in crunch time Lou argues his physical advantages offer a terrific option that the Raptors should be taking advantage of.
"(Barnes) is physically more adept than other players in terms of being able to have advantages," said Lou. " You may as well try it. I don't think you have much to lose ... it's a development season."
"Yeah, give it to Scottie," said Lou. "Everything Scottie does this year we can forgive."
Watch the full conversation about Scottie Barnes getting the ball in crunch time on The Raptors Show with Will Lou, which can now be streamed live daily on Sportsnet's YouTube channel. A replay of Wednesday's episode can be found below.
