Out goes Mark Jackson and in comes Steve Kerr, who was gifted a lineup ready for a deep playoff run. A whole new coaching staff and some new pieces on the bench aside, Barnes was still the question mark. “If Barnes ever gets back to his playoff form, watch out” was common rhetoric last season.
So, naturally, when Kerr first brought up the idea of Barnes starting and Iguodala moving to the bench this preseason, it was met with some disregard. But, 18 games later, a 16-2 record and an active Barnes later, Kerr found what needed to be done with the forward to make him a contributing piece on a better team than was last season.
“Last year was a tough year for him, he needed minutes,” Kerr said. “He needed to play and let loose and find his game again. He’s taken advantage of the minutes. He’s really hard to guard as a 4 because of his quickness. The beauty of what Harrison brings is defensively, he can guard anybody out there. He guarded Anthony Davis at times, Tyreke Evans on switches, Holiday too. Harrison represents the versatility we have defensively.”
Barnes’ efforts last season weren’t missing, they were just misplaced. Along with Mo Speights, Kerr has installed into Barnes that no matter what you were or how you played in previous seasons, this is who you can be now. His team is benefitting, and so is Barnes, who is posting career high’s in FG percentage (51%), 3PT percentage (41%), rebounding (6.7) and points (11.6).
For all the improvements in his shooting numbers, it’s the rebounding that is especially encouraging. Amongst qualified small forwards, Barnes carries a rebound rate of 11.7, which ranks above players such as Carmelo Anthony (10.6), Nicolas Batum (10.4) and LeBron James (9).
“I’m just looking for an angle where I can get into the restricted circle and get in the mix,” Barnes said after the win on Thursday night. “We have such great shooters and trying to get those extra possessions, getting a rebound, kicking it out to try and get another shot. Those are the plays that help us down the line.”
There were plenty times last season when Barnes would get the ball during a given possession, whether at the elbow or beyond the three-point line, and be subjects to an isolation play or contested jumper. Moving him into the starting lineup has opened lanes and opportunities for not only Barnes to score, but to rebound at an incredible rate.
As a result, Barnes has found his niché with this team, a team that currently holds the best record in the NBA and is riding a franchise best 11-game winning streak. A far cry from being subjected to discouraging second-unit lineups and little offensive structure, Barnes is finding multiple ways to contribute to this team.
He may not be dunking over incredibly large Montenegrin centers anymore, but he doesn’t need to anymore. Barnes has found a role that is perfect for the current make up of this team. He may still go by The Black Falcon, but he’s playing much better than The Black Falcon ever has.