[MakarosParticipant]

 As we all saw, Harrison Barnes tested extremely well at the combine and he posted better results overall than the "reknowned" athlete, MKG.

Throughout both of his college seasons he has had the label of the "average athlete" and that he must only rely on his pure jumpshot to get by at the next level. Truth of the matter is, he never showcased the athleticism in the games but it is clear that he posseses it.

My question is: why does this occur?

Does his lack of elite handles prevent him from going "all out" on the athletic department?

Did Ol’Roy’s system at UNC prevent him from going all out as he wasn’t the first or second option on offence?

And lastly, do you think that it changes the impressions about him? Is it more possible for him to be taken by Charlotte or the Wizards?

Apologies if the topic is stupid or covered elsewhere. It is my first post.

[JoeWolf1]

 I think his style of play and confidence in his jump shot prevented him from being a slasher.  I don’t think it was a lack of handle, but in college where more zone is played being able to shoot a mid range or long range shot is something a shooter like Barnes does.  I really think he views himself as a shooter first, athlete second.

I think it’s partially the college game, and partially just his style as a player.  Ray Allen could fly when he was younger, but he’s always been a shooter.

 

[ronniemiller1kParticipant]

he locked up the #2 pick with those numbers for sure. im glad because i was a big fan of his, wanted the nets to grab him and would’ve been pissed if he was available with the #6 pick

[MakarosParticipant]

 Personally, I want him to slide to #4.

Not only he gets to play with Kyrie Irving, a very good young point guard and a very close friend of his, but also they don’t have an elite scorer in the post, meaning that he’d have clear lanes to the basket and we’ll be able his true self.

I still get the feeling that he can be an Alpha Dog in the league, like last summer when the executives saw him playing against KD and raved about him. He raises his game based on the competition, or that’s what I hope he does at least!

[UNCbasketballbumParticipant]

I always thought Harrison Barnes was an underrated athlete.  I do think that his lack of a solid handle really hindered his slashing ability.  He also doesn’t have an explosive first step.  I think his handle will continue to improve, but he will never have the elite quickness of some of the top 3’s in the NBA.

[surveParticipant]

 I sorta agree with JoeWolf, Barnes settled for his jumper, because really, thats the best thing he can do.  While he did struggle getting to the basket….then finishing…you will see improvements in those areas.  It wasnt the handle…it wasnt that much room to manuever.  

when you say he lacks an elite handle, that is overblown.  once one person says it, the rest take it and run with it.  you have to go back to his HS days.  His handle not bad.  The best way to describe it is, it is loose and needs tightening.  He has some dribble moves though.  It comes with confidence and practice.   I can also see him getting some coaching from Shamgod.

I’ll tell you, I always had confidence in this guy, but the more and more I talk about him and think back on him in HS and at UNC, the more I feel he is just going to surprise people with the things he can do.   We know he can shoot, but in the league I am sure you will see better handle, a surprisingly good first step, and a nice midrange game.  I just think he needs to get a little more lean.

I dont believe he has locked up any spot, but regardless of where he is picked, even if he slides to 7, I think he is gonna pan out better than expected.

[SpacegrassParticipant]

Another problem I saw with Barnes was that he was too cerebral at times.  He has a tendency to overthink things in a structured college system where I think the iso plus the pick and roll game in the NBA will allow him to be himself more and play to his strengths.  He will be reminiscent of Rudy Gay in the fact he left you wanting more in college , but will show better in the NBA.  The guy plays the game with a pace already on the NBA level and the combine showed that even more.  No reason he should fall past number 4 in this draft and I think you see him go 3 to Washington.  He is exactly what John Wall needs by his side.

[surveParticipant]

If he were in Washington with Wall, I could see them putting up young Kidd/Mashburn like numbers.  may not win a lot of games but in a fast paced offense, I dont see why Barnes couldnt put up Mashburn numbers in that type setting.  

[seniokasParticipant]

Very big fan of Barnes, he is not an elite athlete and never will be. But he has one world-class atribute. It’s his IQ, not basketball IQ, but overall IQ. He is a very smart youngman, just like I am. That really makes me believe that whatever obstacles will he face he will find a way.

What I mean, is that one of the best characteristic that a person can own is probably the understanding of your weaknesess and capabilities. When you understand where you have to work what you have to improve not someone from a side tells you but you understand it yourself only then I believe you can seek for best results. Like smoking, no matter what everyone tells you about it, you won’t quit till you won’t understand your stupidness by yourself. Gladly, I never smoked and that’s great, because it probably takes a really strong will to quit especially if you smoke for many years and I’m not quite sure if I have that will ^^.

So, back to the topic. Barnes is very inteligent and has very strong will to work as much as it takes, so I don’t have concerns about his success, he will definetely be succesfull. One thing that I kinda do not very like is that his bussiness atitude. While I fully understand about the possibilities that being a world-wide known athlete opens for you financial wise, I strongly believe that at least for a few years he could focus his himself on becoming as good as he can possibly be. Doing something like Kobe did after a terrible season when Shaq was traded, Kobe spent his summer working like 10 hours a day, Lakers exec’s even called Magic that he would come and ask Kobe to slow down a bit.

He (Barnes) should just remember why he started playing this game and fully dedicate himself to it, forget the bussiness and focus on enjoying crushing oponnents on the court.

[Author]

Posts