Whether he’s hitting the hardwood in real life or suiting up as the Toronto Raptors in a video game, Scottie Barnes says the competitive spirit stays the same.
“It might be even higher,” the 22-year-old says with a grin in a video call. “I’m high-level competitive when I’m on the floor. My friends all know how I am on the court, but I’m really intense when I’m playing NBA 2K as well.”
This month, Barnes, who averaged 15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 34.8 minutes in 77 games last season with the Raptors, joined the PlayStation Playmakers program, which features the likes of basketball great LeBron James, John Wick: Chapter 4’s Rina Sawayama, Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard and comedian King Bach, among others.
The program brings together notable names from the worlds of sport and culture “to celebrate their passion for gaming and PlayStation.”
With these celebrities giving fans early looks and behind-the-scenes access to games, the versatile swingman, who connects with gamers on Twitch livestreams, says he’s living out a new dream.
“I grew up playing PlayStation. It’s just something that kept me and my friends connected,” the 2021-22 NBA rookie of the year says. “I have some PlayStation friends that I didn’t even know, and now they’re my close friends and people that I talk to every day.”
With 17 points, five blocks and five assists following the Raptors’ opening-night 97-94 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Barnes isn’t sweating his player rating in the game (he comes in with 83).
“First time I saw myself in 2K, I remember thinking, ‘Damn, I’m in 2K,’” he says chuckling. “I’ve been playing that game for six, seven years. and now I’m actually in this game. I have friends texting me telling me they just dropped 30 points playing as me in 2K … That’s pretty lit.”
As a new Raptors season kicks off, Barnes discusses his approach to gaming, his off-court style, and what a day off in Toronto looks like for him.
The Raptors for sure. Maybe the Bucks, Golden State, just because Steph Curry … you can’t really stop his shooting. He’s unguardable in 2K.
I only play NBA 2K24 right now … I’m grinding on 2K. I’ve got 9 or 10 players I’ve created, and I’m still going to try and make another player.