How a side trip to Spain marked a turning point for RJ Barrett and the Raptors

MONTREAL—RJ Barrett stands in front of the cameras and sees the tape recorders and the media throng, and participates in the scrums and interviews like he’s born to it.
He engages in the chats and accepts the responsibility that comes with being a homegrown Raptor. What comes through the loudest and clearest is the pride he takes in it.
“I love it — it’s fun,” he said here this week, as the Raptors went through the drudgery of training camp at the UQAM Sports Centre. “This (post-practice scrum) right here, it’s crazy to me to even be in this interview.”
There are athletes who shun that part of that job — quick answer, on to the next question — and it can become a chore one day after another. Not to Barrett. Not the kid from Mississauga. He gets it, embraces it.
“I used to watch this on TV … I think I have a little bit more pride for it,” he said of the media session.
It was clear from the day he became a Raptor, in a trade with the New York Knicks last December, that the 24-year-old Barrett understands what he means to the franchise and to the team’s Canadian fans, because he was one of them growing up.
Yes, he burned with desire to be great with the Knicks, who drafted him third overall in 2019. But once he was traded home, it kicked into a new level.
“He was the player that played with a lot of passion and love, and then you could see the way he owned it, playing for Canada (at the Paris Olympics),” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “But at the same time, I know how much pride he takes in representing the Toronto Raptors as well. So, all of that experience he had this summer, and all the work that he put in this summer, I think it’s going to set him up for even more success, and hopefully less discussions about his efficiency.”
Hours after an emotionally draining quarterfinal loss to France at the Olympics — following more than a month of high-level training and playing with the national team — he wasn’t most interested in a week or two off before the long NBA season. He has a job with his hometown team, and he had to get to a Raptors practice/bonding session in Spain.
“It’s the Raptors, man. This is my team, my home. I wanted to be there with my teammates,” he explained. “We have a lot of new faces, rookies coming in, and I was new to the team; I’ve only been here for half the year. Just continuing to try to build relationships with people here, continue to learn the system.”
It was a whirlwind, emotional half-season with Toronto. There was the tumult of the mid-season trade, the tragic death of his younger brother Nathan, a sore knee and a terrible end to the season for his new team. He loved being at home, but never really got into a groove.
It’s why he spent the time in Spain post-Olympics, and why he will happily become a spokesperson for the Raptors. He’s more comfortable with a leadership role. Teammates and coaches can sense it.
“I think he understands what it takes to win and, for me, that’s very important,” Rajakovic said. “Any coach in this league, everybody wants two-way players and he understands the importance of that. He understands the stakes for us in our team. We talk a lot. I’m calling him out in a lot of situations that he needs to be better. He’s responded really well.”
There are aspects of Barrett’s game that need improving, without doubt. He’s got to be more consistently engaged defensively and more economical on offence — look to make plays, not just  baskets — but the sense is that he will.
A desire to give his home city something to cheer for and appreciate has led to an increased leadership role. It’s like a career rebirth, highlighted when he showed that post-Olympic commitment.
“(It was) so the guys could see me, hear my voice, my leadership,” he said. “And I wanted to show that if I can have just played the Olympics and still showed up …    I’m all in.”