Now that the Kings have Harrison Barnes, the next step is to figure out the best role for him, writes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. Acquired from the Mavericks last week, Barnes has played extensively at both forward spots and his usage in Sacramento may depend on the opponent, according to coach Dave Joerger.
“I’m still learning what to do,” Joerger said. “How much I do I want to play Harrison at (small forward)? How much at (power forward)? And what do the matchups look like? And I need to get it done sooner than later because we’re not going to find a rhythm if I don’t figure it out quickly.”
Barnes has played both positions extensively throughout his career, with 48% of his minutes as a three and 50% as a four. The Warriors used him mainly as a small forward when he broke into the league, but shifted him to power forward later in his tenure there. He was mainly a power forward in Dallas.
“It’s a good problem to have,” added Joerger, who said he has wanted Barnes on his team for years. “You want to be as versatile as we can be at times. It’s going to be a little bit on the run, as we know, and it’s tough on me, but guys are playing as hard as they can and that’s all you can ask as a coach. And it’s on me to figure some of that stuff out.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- LeBron James hasn’t lived up to the excitement that surrounded his decision to join the Lakers, contends Bill Plaschke of The Los Angeles Times. L.A. will enter the All-Star break with a 28-29 record, placing them 10th in the Western Conference. Plaschke notes that although James has been brilliant on the court, he missed 17 games with a groin injury and affected team chemistry by maneuvering to get head coach Luke Walton replaced and pushing for an Anthony Davis deal that caused all of his young teammates to be subjected to weeks of trade rumors.
- The Lakers missed out on Enes Kanter in the buyout market, but they remain in the running for Markieff Morris, tweets ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, who names the Rockets, Thunder and Raptors as the other top contenders. L.A. is also considering Carmelo Anthony, Shelburne adds, but is concerned because he hasn’t been active since November.
- Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman examines whether the Clippers made the right move by trading away Blake Griffin last season.
Why would Morris pick the lakers when he could go to a good team like Houston, OKC, or Toronto?
It’s assumed by the Lakers and their fans that, of course, every good player wants to play for the Lakers! The frustrating reality of the past 10 years hasn’t destroyed their delusions yet.
What ridiculous comment by a sad human being. Just like the rest of the league who hates on the Lakers. All those banners feel good to look at so I’ll take the bad and remember the good and know the good aren’t far off again while most teams can’t come close to the success the Lakers have had.
So the Boston Celtics called and said to look at their banners. They have more and more recent.
Also all he stated is other than LeBron no player of importance has signed with LA of recent. That’s truth not sad. Furthermore, LeBron is only relevant player they’ve had since Kobe, who was a draft day trade of LA. So before LeBron their last FA grab was Shaw.
Now we will see what the next off season brings, but should it be more Rondos, Stephensons or Melos then one might have to start believing what KD said a couple months back about a toxic environment caused by media.
*Shaq
You kidding, lat 31 years Celtics 1/Lakers 7, Boston last ’08, Lakers ’10.
So wrong in all counts Boston not relevant since 80’s Lakers been relevant in the last decade.
Can you explain your lack of logic Natergater77?
Really you hang your hat on the last relevant Kobe team?
The Celtics have been more relevant with Isiah Thomas and others. They have been a more talked about destination for FA. Sorry Laker fan, but even with LeBron your team isn’t relevant as a winner. You are still outside looking in. What happen to Paul George coming? And if you’re going for AD you can’t push Kawahi and then if you miss AD who?
Magic Johnson is the John Elway of the NBA
I’m a Lakers fan , and we have nothing to brag about.
Team is really bad and inconsistent..
Sadly cannot win without Lonzo, it’s showing.
Kind of wish the could trade diva LeBron.
Drama is worse than DeAngelo Russell era.
Just like every superstar wants to play in New York
If Knicks pull off AD trade, then I think they will ..
Kyrie, KD, AD
Lakers strike out unless they can pull off AD.
Just trade LeBron for the Knicks pick if you can’t get AD…
LeDIVA up to his usual antics. Everywhere he goes it’s “I have nothing to do with the coaching change/player personnel”.. Yeah, right!
Plaschke is a bum. The Lakers would be vying for the #1 pick if LeBron wasn’t on the roster.
Wouldn’t that be a good thing with decade younger Zion on the board?
I don’t think anyone could argue that the clippers are worse because the trade of Griffin.
SGA, Zubac, Shamet, two first round draft picks for Griffin is what it has boiled down to.
The article is incorrect though because it says that the two picks are lottery protected but the Miami pick is unprotected and could be extremely valuable in a few years
I remember Stephen A. saying wished LeBron would spend more time on LeBron the basketball player and less time on LeBron the brand. Give everybody a chance to do their jobs.
Plaschke hopelessly exaggerates the positive and negative alike; the background, the goals, eveything. “[James] plays hard every minute”. And, “…unfair to Lakers fans who are spending inordinate amounts of time and money to buy into one thing.” Sensationalist journalism.
Are Angelinos hanging onto James’ every word? I think this was not the case in Miami or Cleveland, except about stay/move.
Here you go on the journalists who criticize LeBron. What a waste!
There are plenty of rational, truthful criticisms to make of James, if one wants to do that for whatever reason. But some people cannot profit enough from that. Some just get bitter or something.
Barnes helped Dallas by playing the 4, but Sacto has Bjelica & Bagley. I wonder why SAC is spotlighting this again.
Actually I was surprised to see Barnes has a history at PF at all.
where did Kanter sign?
Blazers