Kawhi Leonard abruptly left the Toronto Raptors after winning them their first and only title so far in 2019 and fortunately for them, they got a new franchise player in Scottie Barnes who so far has been living up to the hype.
The Raptors are 7-1 in their last 8 games and what they are currently doing is something no pundits expected last summer although Barnes did say they can do damage. It’s now time for the hot takes and former Toronto coach Sam Mitchell might have the hottest one.
Discussing the team’s recent win against the Indiana Pacers, the 2007 Coach of the Year put forward the idea Barnes might be better than two-time Finals MVP Leonard who left them for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Sam Mitchell believes Scottie Barnes has the potential to be better than Kawhi Leonard. 😳
“He’s a better ball handler and facilitator. He’s a better defender. He can guard all 5 positions. The only thing Kawhi got on Scottie right now, he’s a better 3PT shooter.”
“If Scottie… https://t.co/drrqBe0Fvb pic.twitter.com/C1mv9yV70E
— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) November 16, 2025
Mitchell’s Scottie Barnes take is not a hit
One thing Barnes got against Leonard at this moment is him averaging more points than the Clippers star when they were the same age.
For now, fans are not buying what Mitchell said.
Is it crazy to say he’s not a better ball handler or defender?
— Josh (@Joskiila) November 16, 2025
I love Scottie but better the the klaw??? pic.twitter.com/ue3YyB05Ls
— δ (@deltaraps) November 16, 2025
That was a wild take
— IngramAlerts (@IngramAlerts) November 16, 2025
I agree but I think we saying this too casually because Kawhi is a 2x champ and he was the bus driver for 1. Idk if Scottie has that type of ceiling as a 1st option. As a 2nd option, maybe. https://t.co/aMu6kxx3nJ
— Mr. Perfect (@Gucci2Flint) November 16, 2025
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