Daily Knicks
Fansided

Knicks: Free Agents To Watch In Round 2 of NBA Playoffs

By Maxwell Ogden

May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles past Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) during the Raptors 89-84 win in game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles past Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) during the Raptors 89-84 win in game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 11
Next
February 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) shoots the basketball against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 123-110. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) shoots the basketball against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 123-110. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Harrison Barnes, Golden State Warriors

Status: Restricted Free Agent
Position: Forward
Age: 23
Slash Line: .466/.383/.761
Season Averages: 30.9 MPG, 11.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 1.2 3PM

One of the best kept secrets in the NBA is that Harrison Barnes routinely steps up in the clutch for the Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson deserve every ounce of praise they receive, but Barnes is a critical part of Golden State’s success who doesn’t receive the credit he’s due.

Unfortunately, the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs wasn’t kind to Barnes.

Barnes is shooting 32.8 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from beyond the arc through six postseason games. Those numbers speak for themselves, and suggest that he’s not yet ready to handle the pressure of being a featured option without a star-caliber point guard to take the pressure off of him.

The good news: Barnes bounced back during Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and a steal on 4-of-7 shooting from the field.

Barnes won’t be one of the Knicks’ targets if Carmelo Anthony truly is the face of the franchise. Should Anthony’s relationship with Phil Jackson deteriorate, or he merely decides to waive his no-trade clause.

Anything is possible this summer, and that’s why it would behoove the Knicks to keep a close eye on Barnes.

Next: 3-and-D Athleticism

Home/Knicks News