Scottie Barnes is slowly earning the defensive accolades he deserves, having been named the Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month for October-November, while OKC Thunder guard Cason Wallace claimed the Western Conference counterpart.
Barnes becomes the first player in franchise history to take home the award after its introduction in the 2024-25 campaign. And talk about a fitting prize for the Raptors' 24-year-old lockdown ace to claim, as he's etched his name into a defensive echelon that not many in the league can parallel.
Scottie Barnes is undoubtedly one of the NBA's best defenders
Barnes stands amongst the NBA rest as the only player to have 30+ steals and 30+ blocks (31 steals and 36 blocks, to be exact) to his name in the 2025-26 season.