How Harrison Barnes Struggling Makes #DubNation Fans A Prisoner Of The Moment

harrison barnes struggling makes fans a prisoner of the moment (Photo: Ryan Brown / LetsGoWarriors.com)

Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes‘ difficulties scoring the basketball of late have now been well-documented. Members of the media have begun to question whether or not the sophomore forward is dealing with an injury or if his poor performances are a sign of a bigger issue.

Drafted 7th overall last season, Barnes was immediately thrust into the Golden State Warriors starting lineup, doing as good a job as most might have expected out of a player who never met his high expectations at North Carolina.

After greater success last post-season and an impressive off-season with Team USA, it was thought Barnes would be due for a breakout second year in the NBA. That has been anything but the case.

A preseason injury relegated him to 6th man duties after the addition of Andre Iguodala in the off-season, and his numbers have been declining steadily since mid-December, when Iguodala returned from his hamstring injury.

Harrison Barnes struggling has caused some to question whether he has a problem coming off the bench. And it’s a fair question giving the distinct difference in performance. Take a look at the splits (via Yahoo! Sports):

Mark Jackson has said Barnes will be fine, but with Barnes’ game trending in the wrong direction, those who have always questioned the young small forward’s abilities have taken to declaring him a bust, who’s potential floor is dropping like a rock.

But the answer to Barnes’ struggles may not be either an issue with his role, an injury, or a lack of confidence or ability. It could be that he just isn’t ready to carry what has been one of the worst bench offenses in the league.

That’s another Warriors issue that has been well covered. Golden State is bottom five in points, field goal percentage and minutes played when it comes to their reserves, and have struggled heavily to maintain leads when their starters are resting.

So to paint a more clear image, Barnes has played the most minutes of any Warrior without Stephen Curry on the court this season. That’s Curry, who’s responsible for the biggest offensive differential in the league.

Barnes also plays the same position as the Warriors next-best ball-handler, meaning he doesn’t spend a whole lot of time on the court with Iguodala either.

Harrison has played a large number of his minutes with neither on the court, and not being a ball-handler or play-maker by trade, his numbers have suffered accordingly. According to nbawowy.com he’s shooting a dismal 32 percent from the field, even while hitting 40 percent of his 3PT attempts.

Compare that to how he’s performed with either of the two on the court, and it’s a drastic difference. But it’s the kind of change you would expect when going from playing with one of the worst bench units in the league to being on the court with most of the league’s best starting lineup.

Without Curry or Iguodala:

With Curry:

With Iguodala:

With both Curry and Iguodala:

Barnes numbers are better across the board when on the court. He shoots more free throws at a better percentage. His field goal percentage jumps to better than 45 percent, and his 3PT percentage (.383) remains solid on more attempts.

Simply put, Barnes’ struggles may just be a product of him not yet being equipped to be the best player on the court at any given moment of a game. And for a second-year player that’s only natural.

For most of the season, the Warriors have asked Barnes to be the play-maker in a lineup mostly devoid of offense. The results have been as one might expect. Jackson’s propensity to play five bench players at a time has only made it worse.

In the long run, Barnes still has plenty of starting potential in the NBA. His numbers have been solid when given good minutes alongside the team’s best players. Plus, he’s hardly been used as a stretch four, a position he had a ton of success at last season.

His relegation to the bench has hurt his numbers and maybe even his confidence, but let’s not forget the success he’s had when put in better situations, or that he’s still managed some solid performances as of late.