The Re-Emergence of Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes' athleticism and IQ is pay dividends for the Warriors (Credits: John G. Mabanglo/EPA)

There was this sense around Harrison Barnes when he was being recruited out of the strong program at Ames High School in Iowa that he was the real deal. People were slapping the "Next MJ" label on him, which can be a death knell for player's careers even where they're pretty good (ask Vince Carter). How could you not be excited about a 6-foot-8, 200 pound phenom athlete who had the ability to slash and finish around the rim with gusto? His basketball IQ is high, his lateral quickness was amazing and his leaping ability makes him an all-around playmaker. But the expectations at North Carolina to literally fill Jordan shoes seemed too much for the freshman.

It took Barnes 20 games before he reached 20 points in a game, a number people expected Barnes to reach with great regularity. Multiple single-digit games really had scouts wondering what was wrong with the superstar prospect. As the season wore on Barnes slowly started to re-discover that scoring touch he had mastered in high school, but still he hadn't had that performance yet that really instilled the belief in people that this kid was an future NBA talent. That was until the ACC Semifinals where, under the bright lights, the freshman put on the kind of show that made people revel in his athleticism and versatility. He scored 40 points on an efficient 12-17 shooting, including a 6-of-8 performance from beyond the arc, something that really opened eyes. His slashing to the basket provided a little glimpse into what kind of in-and-out presence he could be. The stats told one half of the story, but actually watching him shred the Clemson defense it seemed like Barnes was all coming together.

In a surprising, but intelligent move, Barnes decided to stick around for his second year to attempt to refine his game even more. It was a decision that eventually paid off. As a Sophomore, Barnes upped his consistency and his efficiency as a player leading his Tar Heels to the Elite Eight before bowing out to the nation's runner-up Kansas Jayhawks. With Barnes polishing up his all-around game to his standards, he decided to forgo his junior year and enter the draft. He was selected 7th by the Golden State Warriors, a team which already was developing a nice core of young players and needed that athletic swingman to further their core.

That leads us up to now. Barnes has had his ups and downs this season, but he has really matured into a solid piece in the playoffs. He hasn't been asked to score the way he was asked in UNC because he has a lethal back court of Klay Thompson and Steph Curry to do that it for him. The rookie has been able to really play the gel role, bringing his athleticism and intelligence to every facet of the game. His stats aren't going to wow you, but that's because he's done a little bit of everything and he has really shown consistency on defense which has been key for a team that isn't exactly a top-tier defense. The playoffs, however, have really been where we've seen Barnes' emergence. He's scored more than 20 points in three games (he only scored 20-plus twice in the regular season). His scoring average is up almost seven points from the regular season as well as his rebounding numbers up two per game as well. Overall Barnes has been ultra consistent for the Warriors who are surprisingly knotted at 2 in the semis with the Spurs. Barnes' best game of the year? Well that of course game Sunday in a pivotal Game 4 as he scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds with all the pressure on the line.

Really Barnes' game is meant for the NBA and for the bright lights. He's a silky smooth player, who can't really be boxed in by a rigid system or a slow game like college ball. Don't expect him to pour in 30 a night like people originally thought, but this guy's athleticism is elite and his basketball IQ is really starting to shine. Mark Jackson has let his rookie play a free-flowing game and asked him to really shoulder the load on defense and he's done an impressive job. There's something about Barnes' awareness that makes me believe his ceiling is seriously high and I think these playoffs have showed us that he's the real deal. 

Will the Warriors take this series? Well that's still to be told, but I'll tell you what, Harrison Barnes is going to be as a key of a piece to this squad as Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are going forward. 

Sometimes you've got to let a man play ball. Barnes' is balling and the Warriors are winning. Coincidence  I think not.