Let's talk Harrison Barnes

[Yoshi]

I dunno...that depends upon Iggy being solid physically.

Bingo. Both Iggy AND Bogut have physiological issues that could hamper them. We know Bogut will at some point this season, with Iggy you have to wonder was it an anomaly or is it a sign of things to come? He played 62 games only one time in his career while with Philly (2011-2012). He is also 30 and hammys don't ever go away completely.

But hey, if somehow these two aforementioned players can give you 70-75 games this season, I'm happy.

 

[clyde_carbon]

Barnes struggled big time last year. Granted, he took a back seat and had a sophomore slump, but he's got a lot to work to do. He was good on defense at times, but had issues on defense as well. He could still improve in this league, but there's a reason why there's an impasse on this trade involving Klay and Love from certain members of the Warriors' front office and why I've stated in other posts that I'd rather trade HB over Klay.

I also think you're wrong in that we'll be "fine defensively". First off, you're talking about a center in Bogut who won't give you 82 games a year. Second, if Klay goes, who's gonna guard the opposing PG of the team because Curry can't. I also don't think Barnes can hang with the elite PG's of this league. Perhaps Iggy can but I don't know. When you have CP3, Westbrook, Parker, Conley, and Bledsoe to name a few, it helps to have a bonafied defender to at least limit their effectiveness. No question that if you trade Klay off, you're getting weaker defensively.

Barnes was put in shitty situation after shitty situation last year. He wasn't in a great environment for himself to succeed and improve as a young player.

I don't see your point about Iggy/Bogut. Them being injury risks doesn't change if we don't trade Klay. At least we'd have a top-3 scorer in Love.

 

[Yoshi]

Barnes was put in shitty situation after shitty situation last year. He wasn't in a great environment for himself to succeed and improve as a young player.

I don't see your point about Iggy/Bogut. Them being injury risks doesn't change if we don't trade Klay. At least we'd have a top-3 scorer in Love.

Barnes put in a shitty situation after shitty situation? How so? Is this because he never learned how to play effectively coming off the bench despite getting accustomed to it for one entire season? Kawhi Leonard did the same thing for SA but sure as heck proved to be a much better player than HB at this point in their careers. Also, is this a Mark Jackson thing, because neither Klay nor Steph had setbacks this past season, but rather averaged more PPG this season than their prior ones. Granted, coming off the bench must have been hard for him, but c'mon. If HB is excusing himself in that same manner, he should look for another career.

FYI, I'm not giving on Barnes, but if you watch pundits such as those on Yahoo Sports Live as well as hearing from Jerry West and Steve Kerr, it's quite obvious there are many who believe that at this current point in their careers, Klay Thompson is a dramatically better player than HB, which is why there's an impasse. Had this trade involved Lee, Barnes, and some future draft pick this move would have already been done by now.

Furthermore, yes you don't see my point about Bogut nor Iggy. We all know Bogut won't play an entire season, and this was exemplified by him missing the team's most important stretch of the season - the playoffs. I'm not so sure about Iggy because he only missed 25 games in a season twice in his relatively lengthy career. However, he is entering the wrong side of 30 so you never know, and being in the medical profession myself, I know that from qutie a few cases that lingering hamstring problems are issues that do not fade completely. However, those guys along with Klay make up your three best defensive players, with Klay being the best perimeter defender. Yes, you get Love back in return, but you lose the guy who will defend some of the elite PG's out in the west. Also, offense doesn't win championships as written here:

81% of NBA Champions had a recent All-Defensive 1st Team Selection

Does defense win NBA championships? All-Defensive teams were first named following the 1969-70 season. Since that time, 29 of 36 NBA champions had at least one player named All-Defensive 1st Team during the 4 seasons prior to the championship season. When All-Defensive 2nd Team selections are considered, the percentage jumps to 89% of NBA champions.

Even the 7 teams without an All-Defensive honoree had All-Defensive caliber players on the roster. Players on five of these championship teams were named All-Defensive 1st Team in a subsequent season, and the other two championship teams, the 1974-75 Golden State Warriors and the 1980-81 Boston Celtics, included at least two players who were named All-Defensive 2nd Team in a subsequent season.

The defensive player of the year (DPOY) award is usually given to an All-Defensive 1st Team selection. Since the DPOY award was created, 12 of the 22 NBA Champions had a previous DPOY winner on the roster.

 

[CohanHater]

Barnes is working on the right things


Some players thrive in the ISO or free flowing offense world. Others need structure. Barnes played solid defense (the focus of the coaching staff) and struggled going 1 on 1 all season long. A "stretch 4" that the front office has been talking about all off-season would be Barnes best friend. He could thrive in that AC Green/Cedric Ceballos type of role that gets the ball cutting through the lane and cleans up scraps when the middle of the floor is open.

I wouldn't knock Barnes for not doing well under Jackson. We'll see if he struggles in a structured offense.

 

[CitySushi]

Warriors' Steve Kerr: Harrison Barnes, Andre Iguodala in the mix for starting job - Inside the Warriors

Steve Kerr didn't make any commitments on the starter at SF. Said he's going to consider all options and Barnes played well in his 1st season with the first stringers. Also said Barnes was at his best as a 4. Could all be interesting things going forward this season.

 

[NBKLee]

Warriors' Steve Kerr: Harrison Barnes, Andre Iguodala in the mix for starting job - Inside the Warriors

Steve Kerr didn't make any commitments on the starter at SF. Said he's going to consider all options and Barnes played well in his 1st season with the first stringers. Also said Barnes was at his best as a 4. Could all be interesting things going forward this season.

Starting vs playing heavy minutes/important minutes are 2 different things.

La Tax vs Jack/Landry is a classic example. La Tax started , played 5 minutes, picked up 4 fouls, a nd then his cigarette filled lungs couldn't handle anymore.

I don't care if AI#9 comes off the bench, as long as he plays in crunch time and is healthy 85-95% of the year.