A closer look at Harrison Barnes

He's handling the ball a little better, but not anywhere near NBA caliber... The thing I have to keep reminding myself is he's still a teenager and needs about 3 years to be an impact player...:chuckles:

His ball handling and lateral quickness with the ball leaves something to be desired. In a league in which wings, especially small forwards, has steadily become more focused on the ability to take the opposing defender off the dribble, Barnes comes up short. His defense and spot up shooting, at the very least, are fundamentally sound - and available to continued refinement. I would consider his defense very strong - his length is a strong suit. It seems that he would benefit from playing with a quality PG who is able to penetrate and set up the wings off the ball (but then again, who wouldn't). He's well coached and comes across as teachable and mature. I don't think this is something to overlook in the Cavs' scouting of players.

I don't doubt he can be a fine rotation player, and starter in time - but are the Cavs in the position to 'settle' on that in this process of rebuilding? He happens to play at a position of need and is a viable candidate for the Clippers lottery selection.

On a side note, Kendall Marshall is going to be a damn good player (if he isn't already)

Lacks top end athleticism and explosiveness. First step is average even for the college level. Not very good off the bounce and therefore doesnt get to the line. Average shooter at best but that can improve. Good defensively though.

I look at the attributes of the top scoring SFs like Durant, James, Anthony Pierce, Gay, Granger, etc in the NBA and I just dont see it with Barnes or the upside.

If you draft him in the late teens or early 20s and you'll probably be satisfied. Top 8 and you'll be disappointed.

Like I said earlier in this thread.... I watched 5 minutes of Barnes the other night and could tell his ballhandling was awful. There are not too many, if any, good scoring swingmen in the NBA that can't dribble.

i watched Barnes for the first time today against Duke...i was not that impressed. he isn't very explosive or quick, and isn't a great ball handler. he has a good jump shot, but that's about it. i don't think he is the right one to use a top 4 pick on. i'm sure there are at least 6 or 7 better players out there that could be picked before him.

he is also kind of awkwardly built - he has stubby legs, and overly-long arms...he doesn't really have the body to be an explosive slasher.

Barnes is a great talent. First off, his athleticism is above average and translates well to the court. Secondly, he dribbles pretty well for a freshman. Jordon wasn't much better with the dribbling at the same point either back in the day. Lastly, Barnes has the frame to pick up alot of strength while gaining additional quickness.

I would say Barnes is almost a must grab if he comes out.

Barnes kind of reminds me of Brandon Rush. He should be able to be a classic "3D" (defense and three pointers) player.

But to be fair, I really liked Brandon Rush coming out of college too and he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire.

It's now 5 out of the last 6 games where he hasn't shot 50% from the field. Take away the hype he got coming out of high school and there is is no way people would be talking about him as a lottery pick based on what he has done in college. He looks to be projecting as a 3&D guy in the NBA right now so that would place him at best as a mid first-rounder IMO.

Pioneer10 said:

Take away the hype he got coming out of high school and there is is no way people would be talking about him as a lottery pick based on what he has done in college.

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That is exactly what I am thinking. The hype in high school plus the fact he goes to UNC is making people like this guy for no reason. He has shown pretty much nothing.

This is another guy that has major flaws in his game that is way too high of a risk given his ceiling. Not interested.

I'm equally as interested in him as I am Perry Jones, and Perry Jones is a guaranteed bust.

So not to beat a dead horse, but I think sullinger is the safest pick in the draft if he comes out.

I have also watched barnes in games and I know I am not looking at micheal Jordon. I think the brandon rush comparison is better at this point. He is one, who in my opinion is better suited to stay in college. He is playing for an elite team with an elite system and he will absolutley get better with time. When he can show he can carry that team on his back to a NCAA win, he will be a consensus number one. Although they beat duke last night, the game was won inside as Kyle Singler dissapeared (and OK Barnes may have had something to do with that). Nolan Smith and Seth Curry both had better numbers than Barnes.

There are some interesting forwards out there, but some are pretenders. Besides Singler, Purdue's Jajuan Johnson got exposed last night by a team that had lost something like 8 straight. He was forcing bad shots the entire second half, and could not consistently block out low. Perry Jones was not able to carry the team against Texas. We say well he does not have the teammates to show how good he is, but that is part f the deal. You have to make your team mates better. Kemba Walker (guard) has terrific numbers losing yesterday, except that he only managed 1 assist. This is inexcusable for a guard when you have a true 7 foot 250 lb big inside against a team where the tallest player is 6'8.

I like both Morris's at KU. I think their stock will go up when they go deep in the tournament. I think Barnes needs to stay in the oven another year or maybe two.

In our position since we need to hit on all our draft picks I wouldn't draft him over kyrie or kanter

But if we happened to get a third pick.......barnes welcome to Cleveland

Reminds me of Evan Turner, to be honest.

I think I've gone from no way we should take him to no way we should pass back to no way we should take him.

Amherstcavsfan said:

Reminds me of Evan Turner, to be honest.

I think I've gone from no way we should take him to no way we should pass back to no way we should take him.

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Turner is a much better ball handler and playmaker and Barnes seems like he will be a better shooter and a better athlete(certainly is bigger as well)