Raptors NBA Draft Thread: Harrison Barnes

[Volcano]

His scouting reports make him sound pretty bad. Even the people supporting him make him sound bad. So the only thing he's good at is shooting inefficiently?

I hate one dimensional players...what's his ceiling? Is it possible he bottoms out at Kapono/Adam Morrison? Tops off as RIP/Ray without handles? Ends up around Marvin Williams/Mike Miller territory?

Does he have any other strengths other than his shooting?

[StMikes31]

NBA Talent Evaluators Believe Harrison Barnes Will Be Solid Proe
May 01, 2012 10:38 AM EDT

Harrison Barnes struggles to score off the dribble, a shortcoming that could have serious implications at the NBA level.

"No question he's a catch-and-shoot guy," said an Eastern Conference exec. "He's not a slasher. He's not a good finisher at the basket. Doesn't look all that athletic. But he's going to look good. I have to believe he'll be all of 6-8, NBA body, he can shoot the ball and would be a willing defender. He didn't have a great year, but I still don't think it's going to hurt him."

Barnes’ role fluctuated toward the end of his sophomore season at North Carolina.

"They took a guy who was essentially a jump shooter, and at the end of the year they have him putting the ball on the [bleeping] ground and driving,” said a Southeast Division talent evaluator. “Young fella, that's not what you do. What you do is knock down jumpers off two bounces, and off the catch."

Another talent evaluator believes Barnes will have to reassess his place in the game.

"I think he should be an adequate defender, but to be honest, he's got to get over the fact that he was the high school player of the year and the greatest thing going, and the fact that he's no longer that," said a Pacific Division scout. "I don't know where his head's at. But he's a quality kid. No reason he can't figure it out. When he came to college I expected someone who was ahead of Shane Battier at that developmental stage, and Shane's had a pretty good career ... I never saw Harrison Barnes as LeBron James or Kobe Bryant or Jerry Stackhouse. I just saw a nice, solid player."

[ItsDanger]

I wasnt sold on Barnes last season and even less right now. Every update about him sounds negative. I have a feeling he will be available at #8. Does BC take him? If the Williams or Battier potential is correct, thats more of a support player which can be obtained in free agency or trade. Trade the pick or go for Lillard and dump Jose.

[Deadpool_X]

I don't see why we take him with James Johnson and Linas on the roster. He's not a blue chip prospect, so there isn't a point taking him at a position we have equal or better talent, when there are other players of need on the board.

[BillyGM]

NBA Talent Evaluators Believe Harrison Barnes Will Be Solid Pro

Harrison Barnes struggles to score off the dribble, a shortcoming that could have serious implications at the NBA level.

"No question he's a catch-and-shoot guy," said an Eastern Conference exec. "He's not a slasher. He's not a good finisher at the basket. Doesn't look all that athletic. But he's going to look good. I have to believe he'll be all of 6-8, NBA body, he can shoot the ball and would be a willing defender. He didn't have a great year, but I still don't think it's going to hurt him."

Barnes’ role fluctuated toward the end of his sophomore season at North Carolina.

"They took a guy who was essentially a jump shooter, and at the end of the year they have him putting the ball on the [bleeping] ground and driving,” said a Southeast Division talent evaluator. “Young fella, that's not what you do. What you do is knock down jumpers off two bounces, and off the catch."

Another talent evaluator believes Barnes will have to reassess his place in the game.

"I think he should be an adequate defender, but to be honest, he's got to get over the fact that he was the high school player of the year and the greatest thing going, and the fact that he's no longer that," said a Pacific Division scout. "I don't know where his head's at. But he's a quality kid. No reason he can't figure it out. When he came to college I expected someone who was ahead of Shane Battier at that developmental stage, and Shane's had a pretty good career ... I never saw Harrison Barnes as LeBron James or Kobe Bryant or Jerry Stackhouse. I just saw a nice, solid player."

[Basketball_Jones]

He''ll be an adequate defender and rebounder, though he won't board on the level of KD or Melo imo they have better motors and athleticism for that. He looks like he can get his shot off anytime he wants, but they are difficult perimeter shots. People compare him to Deng, but he looks much smoother and not as awkward as him. He's not the answer for this team, but there are very few players (maybe two in the entire draft) that we can declare as "the solution" for this team going forward. He'll fit in nicely and I think the point guard position is where this team needs to find its creator. I used to hate the idea of Barnes, but again, we'll be lucky to have a shot at him at 8-9 spot.

[Undefeated]

His scouting reports make him sound pretty bad. Even the people supporting him make him sound bad. So the only thing he's good at is shooting inefficiently?

I hate one dimensional players...what's his ceiling? Is it possible he bottoms out at Kapono/Adam Morrison? Tops off as RIP/Ray without handles? Ends up around Marvin Williams/Mike Miller territory?

Does he have any other strengths other than his shooting?

How is Harrison Barnes one dimensional when it sounds like you haven't even watched him play? He's already shown to be a good man-to-man defender and rebounder. While his rebounding rate might not be eye-popping like Bradley Beal or Kidd-Gilchrist, keep in mind that he played with two dominant front-court players who combined for 43% of UNC's rebounds per game.

UNC was just a bad system for wing players. Not a lot of one-on-one opportunities. P.J. Hariston was a top recruit out of high-school too, but he looked just as pedestrian as Harrison Barnes. Why? Because the offense revolved around John Henson and Tyler Zeller. The wings were just expected to cut, dive for loose balls, and be prepared for the catch-and-shoot when Zeller or Henson drew the double-team.

[Undefeated]

I don't see why we take him with James Johnson and Linas on the roster. He's not a blue chip prospect, so there isn't a point taking him at a position we have equal or better talent, when there are other players of need on the board.

Even if you don't want Barnes, he wouldn't even be available by the time it's the Raptors' turn to select. The Raptors would be lucky to even have Harrison Barnes drop to 8.

[Dr Positivity]

I'm becoming convinced Barnes best role in the NBA will be as a Jeff Green type small 4. At the 3 his mediocore skill and speed is a disadvantage. At the 4 it will be an advantage. Plus he doesn't need to be an elite shooter at PF, he just needs to be able to hit out to 20 feet and that allows him provide a spacing role. Also DX has him listed as 6'9 with a 6'11 wingspan so he's not far off physically. I'm not interested in Barnes the SF but I might take Barnes the stretch PF top 14

[C_Money]

I'm becoming convinced Barnes best role in the NBA will be as a Jeff Green type small 4. At the 3 his mediocore skill and speed is a disadvantage. At the 4 it will be an advantage. Plus he doesn't need to be an elite shooter at PF, he just needs to be able to hit out to 20 feet and that allows him provide a spacing role. Also DX has him listed as 6'9 with a 6'11 wingspan so he's not far off physically. I'm not interested in Barnes the SF but I might take Barnes the stretch PF top 14

Agreed. nbadraft.net said he gets blown by alot on defense because of his lack of speed. I can only imagine what would happen when he guards Lebron and Melo.

[Dalek]

Barnes is not a slasher and his role with us doesn't necessitate it. We need a perimter scorer, a guy we can swing it to that can make 3 point shots at nearly 40%. Barnes has great form and should be able to defend his position. He kind of reminds me of Marvin Williams now. It took Marvin Williams several years to figure out his role. Barnes should be able to contribute right away.

I think he falls to us because look at Golden State. They had Dominic McGuire (cheap good defender), Brandon Rush (excellent defender and 3 pt shooter), Dorell Wright (solid three man) last year. I think they might be satisfied with what they have and go for a low post threat like Sullinger to add some much needed rebounding. Toronto, if picking 8th, should get Barnes.

[C_Money]

He only shot 35% at the college 3 point line.^^^

[MainEvent]

OK, so Barnes is a 4 and PJ3 is a 3. riiight

[Undefeated]

So, we're now making up fabricated weaknesses saying that Barnes lacks speed and passing them off as a fact now? Gotcha. And nbadraft.net didn't even mention Barnes' lack of speed defensively as a weakness. Now I know you're making **** up.

Barnes having to defend LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony on the perimeter isn't going to be a problem. He's already got good lateral quickness and standing reach combined with his superior upper body strength to absorb contact. When in the lane, you want the perimeter defender to pop their chest to slow down the ball-handler and avoiding using your hands to prevent the drive. You want to go chest-to-chest, and Barnes routinely does this. Defensively, Barnes is more NBA-ready than any wing prospect in this draft class with his fundamentals and basketball smarts.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

Barnes having to defend LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony on the perimeter isn't going to be a problem.

[MainEvent]

Who the f can defend LeBron anyways?

[Undefeated]

Barnes having to defend LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony on the perimeter isn't going to be a problem.

In comparison to the other prospects, that is. No one can stop LeBron, it's all about slowing him down and with Barnes' physical tools I can see it happening. But laugh all you want because Barnes will light the Raptors up. Won't be so funny when he does that.

[Dalek]

He only shot 35% at the college 3 point line.^^^

Yes, that is not ideal, but I think that is mainly about shot selection. He is not going to be given a role as primary option on the Raps. He should be more of a spot up shooter. I think he gets into trouble trying to do too much and shooting contested shots.

He turns 20 in a month and has a whole summer to train and get ready. You have to look at his base level: his size, his picture perfect jumper, wingspan, fluidity, all equal out to a guy that should be an ideal SF.

Is he going to stop Anthony or James? No. But, he seems like a smart team defender who should do well within Casey's system.

[C_Money]

Barnes having to defend LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony on the perimeter isn't going to be a problem.

In comparison to the other prospects, that is. No one can stop LeBron, it's all about slowing him down and with Barnes' physical tools I can see it happening. But laugh all you want because Barnes will light the Raptors up. Won't be so funny when he does that.

James Johnson would take away his jump shot which would erase him from the game.

[fredericklove]

James Johnson would take away his jump shot which would erase him from the game.

If it's 1 on 1, JJ has upper advantage, but I can't see JJ able to guard him thru screens or p&r because that's where Barnes utilize best and excel at.

And with you saying 35% in 3pt line, that's considered so-so average. That doesn't even mean he can't shoot a good 3 pointer, he has 1.3 3PM of 3.6 3PA at 3s (36%), if you say that's poor stuff. Look at that the past his prime scrubbin' Gilbert Arenas' 02-03 season where he shot a similar 1.3 3PM of 3.8 3PA (.35%), if you say Barnes shot poor 3PT percentage and use it to solidify your claim that he's a poor 3 pt shooter. Then Zero's 35% should put himself in the weak 3 point shooting guy category too then.