A closer look at Harrison Barnes

[Lee]

Depends how you use him. Kyrie can get to the rim as well as any small in the league. With Barnes, the Cavs could run pick and pops at the 1 and 3 a lot like the Celtics do with Rondo and Pierce.

I'm warming up to Barnes. Having a wing who can spread the floor to compliment a guard like Kyrie would be huge.

I just dont want barnes over MKG, Beal or Drummond.

That said, if we make a trade and end up lets say 6th and 11th, Barnes is a fine addition as I think he will be a quality starting sf, just not over the 3 i mentioned.

 

[Goldin Brown]

I think people assuming Barnes will be nothing but a decent spot up shooter in the NBA are making a mistake. Maybe I'm giving him too much benefit of the doubt because of his role on UNC, but I've seen him do a lot more than shoot jump shots on occasion. Once he gets to the NBA and his role changes so will people's perception of him. His movement is methodical, but his athleticism is being undersold. I'm not convinced that MKG will have a better NBA career than Barnes at this point.

I'm starting to come around on Barnes myself. I think he is the most skilled scorer in this draft. His obvious flaw is his weakness making something happen off the bounce. I don't necessarily think his a poor ballhandler, I just think that part of his game needs more developing. He already has a very nice mid range game and can shoot the 3 ball pretty well. If he can be more effective getting to and finishing at the basket then he will be a very good pro and I think there's a good chance he can improve that part of his game.

Reaaon being is that in college ball, the area around the basket is always congested as ther is no defensive 3 second rule. Bigs can pretty much camp out and make finishing at the basket very difficult to do. From what I saw of Barnes this seemed to be a problem for him, he always had a lot of attention on him when he was on the floor and UNC did not have many other guys who were big threats to score. I think thats why he "struggled" so much while he was there. The NBA game is more wide open, so I fhink he would actually be a little tougher to defend at that level, of course once his dribble drive game develops a little more. Then if he has a guy like Kyrie on the floor with him then that would also make his life much easier.

I think he would be a good fit in Cleveland obviously. But I also think he needs to get over himself and just relax and play ball. A lot of his problems seemed to be his own doing. You know, drawing a lot of attention to yourself will often blow up in your face if you aren't prepared for the onslaught. To me it looked like he lost a lot of confidence in himself also and he seemed to be thinking too much on the floor. That combination will make you look pedestrian to people, but I saw him take over games at times so that gives some indication that he has it in him. Just needs to be more consistent with it, thats what separates stars from role players.

 

[Dr. Claw]

I just dont want barnes over MKG, Beal or Drummond.

That said, if we make a trade and end up lets say 6th and 11th, Barnes is a fine addition as I think he will be a quality starting sf, just not over the 3 i mentioned.

If we make a trade and end up with 6/11, those should be use for Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones.

I really do not want Barnes on the Cavaliers. I watched his last season at UNC (I'm a Heels fan) and I just don't get the impression he'll be anything more than a scorer who can't create his own shot. I don't know why everyone continues to hype him up after that last run in college. This isn't a Kyrie-like situation where the skills are clear, injury be damned.

 

[oasis05]

Barnes just turned 20 years old. The idea he'll never put together some playmaking ability is absurd. If the cavs draft him I expect barnes will get better off the dribble. He's pretty pure from 3, may be not gibson-like, but very impressive. Everytime he lets it go i think it's going in. I think he could be a scary shooter as he gets older, and looks pretty comfortable defensively. I don't think he'll disappoint, and even as a bust he'll have value in the nba. I think barnes will have an easier time improving his one on one game with a pure jumper as a threat than gilchrist will becoming a deep threat with the quick first step.

 

[Green Lantern]

It's not off the dribble that Barnes has to get better with..it's his handle..he's a turnover or a charge waiting to happen..he's not a ball handler..thats the part of his game that he must overwork to get better at.

 

[TitleTown]

Barnes just turned 20 years old. The idea he'll never put together some playmaking ability is absurd. If the cavs draft him I expect barnes will get better off the dribble. He's pretty pure from 3, may be not gibson-like, but very impressive. Everytime he lets it go i think it's going in. I think he could be a scary shooter as he gets older, and looks pretty comfortable defensively. I don't think he'll disappoint, and even as a bust he'll have value in the nba. I think barnes will have an easier time improving his one on one game with a pure jumper as a threat than gilchrist will becoming a deep threat with the quick first step.

If he still has value in the NBA, then he wouldn't be a bust.

 

[MRMsix6]

If he still has value in the NBA, then he wouldn't be a bust.

Kwame Brown was one of the worst busts ever and people are still willing to pay him a decent amount.

 

[Douglar]

From the Chad Ford chat today--

Tom (Australia)
Reading a lot of rumours that Barnes is the Cavalier's guy, how good do you think he can be next to Irving?

Chad Ford (1:12 PM)
We've had Barnes in our Mock to Cleveland since Lottery Night in part, because the Cavs had a strong interest in drafting Barnes last year at No. 4 and were very disappointed when he pulled out of the draft. He's a great fit because he can really shoot the basketball and he can guard his position. He won't be great until he gets a better handle, but as a No. 2 guy next to Irving ... it's an ideal fit for him.

 

[Gimme Some Mo]

Man.... If we draft this guy, I will be pissed. I am so convinced that this guy is going to be nothing more than a role player in the NBA. It is painful trying to watch this guy dribble a basketball. A 6'8 version of Boobie Gibson. Joy!

 

[sailfish]

Man.... If we draft this guy, I will be pissed. I am so convinced that this guy is going to be nothing more than a role player in the NBA. It is painful trying to watch this guy dribble a basketball. A 6'8 version of Boobie Gibson. Joy!

Prepare to be pissed then 'cause there is no doubting the Cavaliers' interest in Barnes. Add in the fact that he's tight with Kyrie Irving and it's a natural fit.
Like Sean Elliott & Glen Rice, Barnes is a catch & shoot guy. That said, he's really more of a complimentary piece than a franchise player. I'm not sure the Cavaliers view him in the same light though.

 

[Derek]

Prepare to be pissed then 'cause there is no doubting the Cavaliers' interest in Barnes. Add in the fact that he's tight with Kyrie Irving and it's a natural fit.
Like Sean Elliott & Glen Rice, Barnes is a catch & shoot guy. That said, he's really more of a complimentary piece than a franchise player. I'm not sure the Cavaliers view him in the same light though.

I still somewhat doubt the Cavs interest in Barnes based on that post by Max a little while back. I'm not convinced one way or the other at this point though.

I'm not a huge fan of Barnes, but I still think he can be a good player for us if we draft him.

 

[RikSmits]

This piece in the Sam Amick article bugged me.

And considering he once announced his decision to attend North Carolina during a nationally televised segment on ESPN in which he picked between six suitors, maybe Barnes is destined for Cleveland.

Read more: Cleveland Cavaliers eye Harrison Barnes; more 2012 NBA draft notes - Sam Amick - SI.com

After the whole LBJ drama, do you really want to bring on this guy and his brand-awareness?
I'd prefer Beal and MKG by a mile, Robinson by a full yard and will even throw the dice at Drummond before taking on this guy.

 

[oasis05]

It's not off the dribble that Barnes has to get better with..it's his handle..he's a turnover or a charge waiting to happen..he's not a ball handler..thats the part of his game that he must overwork to get better at.

I agree with that. I don't think his ability to shoot off the dribble is anything to write home about either. I think he pretty darn good with his feet set though.

 

["Boobie" Gibson]

[video=youtube;SSu2t7-CijU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSu2t7-CijU[/video]

I do like the high release, and while he isn't lightning quick, his first step isn't as bad as a lot of you make it out to be.

I think when someone says something on this board, other posters will just take it as fact.

One concern I have is his size, he seems to be built like a SG instead of a SF, but I don't think that really matters all too much at this point.

 

[Frank Reynolds]

Posturing? Brandon Roy replacement? 6 & 11?