Barnes helped the Toronto Raptors rebound to the playoffs this season, guiding them to 46 victories and the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference after a 30-win year the season before.
The Raptors will open their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers this Saturday, a matchup many observers view as one of the more intriguing in the opening round.
Garnett lauded Barnes’ two-way impact, saying he does everything well, has high basketball IQ, can take over a game, guard the best players, and push the pace full court.
In his fifth NBA season, Barnes appeared in 80 games and averaged 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game, earning an All-Star selection and boosting his case for major postseason honors.
Beyond the All-Star nod, Barnes is considered a strong candidate for All-NBA Defensive First Team, with potential consideration for the All-NBA Third Team after a standout year.
Garnett, a Hall of Famer and former MVP, is seen as one of the game’s all-time greats, and his praise underscores Barnes’ rising status as a two-way building block for the Raptors as they pursue a deep playoff run.
