When they signed Kevin Durant this summer, the Golden State Warriors were essentially choosing to let Harrison Barnes go. Barnes holding some resentment towards the Warriors for switching things up despite having made the Finals in consecutive seasons would be understandable. Barnes says that he isn’t holding any grudge, though. From the Associated Press (H/t The Score)
“I had a great experience at Golden State,” Barnes told reporters over the summer when asked what returning to Oakland as a visiting player would be like. “They were a first-class organization. The fans there were great. It won’t be anything bitterness or anything like that.”
After signing Durant, the Warriors wouldn’t have been able to pay Barnes anywhere near the amount of money that he wanted. He signed with the Dallas Mavericks instead on a four-year deal worth $94 million.
In Golden State, Barnes’ offensive role was primarily as a spot-up shooter. In Dallas, he is asked to do much more. After his struggles in the Finals, the Olympics, and preseason many questioned Barnes’s ability to step into a larger role. However, he has proved the skeptics wrong thus far.
In seven games for the Mavs, Barnes has averaged 22.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 50.8% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range. His three-point shooting has regressed, but his points and rebounds averages, as well as his field goal percentage, are all the highest marks of his career. He’s also shooting a career-high 92% from the free throw line. Obviously, it’s too early to take away anything concrete from Barnes performance. However, his career as a Dallas Maverick is off to a splendid start.
The Mavs and Warriors will face off in Oakland Wednesday night.
