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Raptors fans aren't happy about a new ESPN ranking

Adam Laskaris
Adam Laskaris
|
Dec 3 2024, 8:12 pm
Raptors fans aren't happy about a new ESPN ranking
Dan Hamilton/Imagn Images

ESPN might be the world’s most recognizable sports media brand, but it isn’t exactly making any new friends with Toronto Raptors fans this week.

On Monday, the American outlet dropped its latest NBA 25 under 25 list compiled by Tim Bontemps, Bobby Marks, Kevin Pelton, and Jeremy Woo, ranking the league’s best young players.

But Toronto supporters were quick to point out what they felt was a glaring omission: Canadian forward RJ Barrett, who turned 24 this past June.

In his first full season with Toronto after coming over last year in a mid-season trade from the New York Knicks, Barrett has averaged 23.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 18 games this season.

Raptors fans certainly let their voices be heard due to the omission:

The discussion also made its way over to Reddit, where similar comments were made from confused fans.

“RJ been in the league so long they just figured he was 25 or older man,” user mdubyo wrote. Fitz-magic1 added, “Skipping out on RJ is insane!”

Scottie Barnes, meanwhile, slotted at 11th place on the list, the lone Raptor to be selected.

“Last season was a breakout campaign for Barnes, as the 6-foot-8 forward joined Giannis Antetokounmpo as the only players to average at least 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block per game. Barnes was rewarded with an All-Star berth and a max contract,” Bontemps wrote. “He has had a slow start this season due to injury, but he has established himself as the bedrock of Toronto’s rebuild, with his three-point shot determining his future ceiling on this list.”

But even Barnes’ inclusion wasn’t exactly thrilling to many Toronto fans, who have often felt that he doesn’t get the same level of admiration for his accolades as some of his peers.

 

For example, five players — Franz Wagner (fourth), Chet Holmgren (fifth), Evan Mobley (eighth), Jalen Williams (ninth), and Alperen Sengun (10th) — who ranked above Barnes have yet to crack an All-Star game in their careers, while he made the Eastern Conference roster last season.

In fairness to ESPN, nobody can accuse them of not being able to generate an emotional response to their rankings, which is what lists like these generally are set out to do.

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