The mood during the Toronto Raptors media day was mostly great as players expressed their confidence about their capability to return to title contention. Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, and even the front office feel positive about their upcoming season after their recent movements.
That should have been the focus of media day but one reporter decided to take the attention all to himself by making an offensive joke directed at Barnes.
“How many times can somebody be called autistic,” the unidentified reported was heard asking to Barnes.
Another person immediately let the reporter know that it was wrong saying “Don’t stress me out like that. That’s not funny.”
Making jokes about autism has been considered politically incorrect in many parts of the world, including Canada and America.
Barnes has been hounded by allegations that he has a form of autism because of spliced videos showing him acting strangely.
@gregreacts Scotty barnes is not defeating these allegations 😂😂 #greenscreen #greenscreenvideo #scottiebarnes #nba #foryou #foryoupage ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim
The 2024 All-Star reacted to the allegations once, basically denying that he has the condition.
“Come on, bro. What’s wrong with y’all, bro? It’s weird, bro. Like how did that go upon me? I don’t get it,” Barnes said on the allegations.
Toronto Raptors urged to fire reporter
X users found the question offensive and many are calling for swift justice for Barnes.
That was low and completely uncalled for. He should be reassigned or fired immediately.
— Alberta Bound (@Sublimetime8888) October 1, 2025
Not a fan of cancel culture or even Barnes but fire that guy. He deserves a slap too.
— Alex 🇨🇦 🇨🇳 🇯🇲 (@leeman24) September 30, 2025
people like this should be fired https://t.co/ZyPsNx6SwI
— KlawFanatic (@Ali_Nocap) October 1, 2025
We gotta start punching ppl in the face lol niggaz controlled wtf they said back then lol it definitely wasn’t all this disrespect going on unless you was ready to take it there https://t.co/mn7ALwVLW2
— الحول (@GGM_Sqwint) October 1, 2025
Curious about the context but this needs to stop being a thing… https://t.co/3tLf98yTBj
— Live By The 3 | Curly, Unenthused About Goldberg (@livebythe03) September 30, 2025
To clear things up, Barnes is not diagnosed with autism.
Barnes is now more focused on the new season and he is determined that they will do better this time after missing the playoffs in the last three seasons.
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