harrison barnes season outlook (Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty)
One thing a young NBA player strives for is consistency. This is exactly what Harrison Barnes has been searching for so far this season.
[NOTE: Check out our latest piece on Klay Thompson‘s consistency: The Inconsistency Of Shooters]
When Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle asked Barnes about his contributions during the first half of this season, Barnes showed his maturity and honesty:
Asked how he would grade his first-half performance, the obsessive gym rat said, “Probably not that high. One thing I wanted to focus on was consistency, and I haven’t been able to accomplish that.”
Barnes has always shown an impressive sense of maturity and a veteran-like demeanor, and told Simmons that he felt confident going into NBA All-Star Weekend.
Unfortunately for Barnes, he was overshadowed in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge and “laid an egg” in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest:
Not bad for a first time… Ok not my finest hour but it's my best dunk contest EVER. Thanks for supporting
— Harrison Barnes (@HBarnes) February 16, 2014
Despite rumors that Barnes might be traded, it’s extremely likely that Barnes will remain a Warrior. General Manager Bob Myers told Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group that Barnes won’t be traded for bench help unless it’s in a significant blockbuster deal.
According to Thompson, Barnes is starting to have that mentality needed to come off the bench and be successful at it in the NBA:
No doubt, the Warriors need Iguodala to end his bouts with passivity. But Barnes holds the key to the Warriors’ fate. Production from Barnes could propel the Warriors onto a second-half surge to 50 wins or more. Scarce production from Barnes could find the Warriors in a fight for the eight seed.
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He is the Warriors’ counterpunch. He’s the ace in the hole when the starters need a jolt. He’s the plan B when the defense throws in a wrinkle.
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“When you’re coming off the bench, you’re expected to come in and produce,” Barnes said. “No matter the situation or what the defense is doing, you’ve got to bring something. Obviously, people will load up on our starters, so I’m needed to come in and score as well as defend and rebound.”
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In hindsight, it makes sense Barnes would take some time to find his groove. Coming off the bench takes a certain mentality. The North Carolina product doesn’t have it innately.
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But Barnes is a cerebral guy, and he approaches basketball the same way. He’s calculated in his attack. He finds his spots. He stays in his lane. He’s cognizant of his struggles and weaknesses. And when things don’t go well, his confidence suffers.
Barnes has had to make several adjustments so far this season.
First, after starting almost every game during his rookie season, Barnes had to learn how to become a Sixth Man. For the first time since his freshman year of high school, he is coming off the bench instead of starting.
This is a tough adjustment for any NBA player, especially for a young player who is still trying to find his niche with the Golden State Warriors and within the NBA.
In addition to coming off the bench, Barnes also had to deal with a foot/heel injury at the beginning of the season. For the first time in his NBA career, Barnes had to adjust to missing multiple games.
Lastly, Barnes faced high expectations coming into this season after having such an impressive postseason last year, when he averaged 16.1 points and 6.4 rebounds. Many fans expected Barnes to build on such a strong stretch of postseason games and come into this season with much more confidence, but he’s experienced the ups and downs that many NBA players experience in their second year.
He’s having that proverbial “sophomore slump.”
Between December 15th and February 4th of this season, Barnes averaged 7.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.6 steals, and 31.5 percent shooting in 25 games.
However, in the four games before the All-Star break, Barnes averaged 14.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 51.5 percent shooting, games in which he appeared much more confident.
The next game is tomorrow at the Sacramento Kings and Barnes will hope to continue the momentum that was building before the All-Star break.
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