Harrison Barnes, who arrived in Sacramento at the trade deadline, made his league debut in 2012 and since that time, he has appeared in 64 playoff games. He was in eighth grade when the Kings last made a postseason appearance, but he’s eager to help the franchise get over its 13-year drought.
“To be a part of this, to see it up close – talking with the coaches, talking with the players – it’s exciting just to see the hunger they have to win,” Barnes said (via Alex Kramers of NBA.com).
Barnes won a championship in Golden State before migrating to Dallas. He’s the only player on the roster with a ring. Outside of Alec Burks, who was also acquired at the deadline, and Nemanja Bjelica, no other Kings rotation player has postseason experience.
“[The key is] trying to develop everyday habits that put you in a position to have the right preparation,” Barnes said. “When you’re winning games, and you’re part of something bigger than yourself, I think that’s what makes everybody excited about being a part of it, excited about coming to work every day, excited about putting the work in and sacrificing for the guy next to you. The opportunity to play in the postseason, the opportunity to advance and go further, that’s I think what this group has. I think that’s what’s special, especially with a young group that kind of understands it right now.”
The 26-year-old saw himself fitting in with the team before he made his debut in Sacramento.
“The style they play is fast and free, with [De’Aaron Fox] leading the charge [and] pushing it up the floor,” he said. “Play fast, play free, move the ball, compete defensively, and hopefully, [I] can give a boost to a team that’s right there.”
Barnes’ ability to split time between the three and the four gives the Kings lineup options that they didn’t have before the trade.
“He’s a versatile player,” Joerger said of the North Carolina product. “He’s a little bit of an [isolation] player. He’s improved his jump shot on the perimeter. Heck of a quality guy. I think he’ll pick up stuff quick. I can move him around and play chess a little bit with him and find matchups and do different things offensively.”
Koufus, Swanigan, and Brewer have all been to the playoffs. Koufus and Brewer have the most experience of the trio and Swanigan has appeared in 1 game.
Nerd
Frfr
Yeah, the Kramers piece noted that Bjelica and Burks were the only Kings “rotation” players with postseason experience. I’ve updated our wording to reflect that.
I have been a Harrison Barnes believer for way too long, he’s 26. I don’t have a good feeling for the rest of his career. I hope he can get one more contract though. There are a lot of lengthy guys that can approximate the things he does, which is some things well and nothing exceptional.
How is 26 old?? He’s literally entering his prime
I know you didn’t *say* he was old but like come on
No. He isn’t old. But in terms of development, he already is what he is. Can’t blame it on situation, the feature or the role.
He’s a product of overblown contracts. People see what players like him, David Lee, Tobias Harris, and Whiteside get these monster contracts and think they are elite. There wasn’t always the huge superstar in free agency and teams just overspent on a lot of players. Now Harris seems to be coming alive lately and yes Barnes is a great player, but if fairweather fans base their opinions on contracts then it’s skewed. Money has not been an issue with free agents lately and you’re seeing it become one currently for example Deng and Noah.
Hahahaha Lee? Whiteside?? Barnes is still a great young player who has a ring , and would still be on the warriors winning championships if they didn’t have to sacrifice him for KD
He makes too much money sure , but he was a starting wing on an nba championship winner 4 years ago , and is only a more complete player now, let’s not forget that