Andrew Wiggins is Harrison Barnes

righterwriter · Post #1 » by **righterwriter** » Tue May 27, 2014 4:20 pm

Wiggins: 6'8, 197 lbs, 44" vert, 7' wingspan
Barnes (as Freshman): 6'8, 209 lbs, 40" vert, 6'11" wingspan

Wiggins: 17.1/5.9/1.5apg 45%ft/34% 3pt fg in 33mpg
Barnes (as Freshman): 15.7/5.8/1.4apg 42% fg/34% 3ptfg in 29mpg

Their background as highly regarded recruits who played a bit under expectations are similar. Their game of scoring using their shot, length, and athleticism vs. having actual go-to moves off the dribble or in the post is similar as well (see videos below).

Wiggins 40pt game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXt5JtlWnps
Barnes 40pt game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AJFWX-yLgY

Eerily similar. And I think they'll be eerily similar as somewhat disappointing pro players, as well.

Kobblehead · Post #2 » by **Kobblehead** » Tue May 27, 2014 4:21 pm

Can Kansas really afford to have another bust wing player?

j-ragg · Post #3 » by **j-ragg** » Tue May 27, 2014 4:23 pm

I feel like coming out of college Harrison's offense was a little more refined than Wiggins' is now. Seems more comfortable with 1 on 1 moves and getting his own shot.

MrBigShot · Post #4 » by **MrBigShot** » Tue May 27, 2014 4:25 pm

Wiggins will be a better defender, and Barnes isn't the athlete that Wiggins is. Both are explosive leapers, but Wiggins is much quicker and his 2nd and 3rd jumps are far quicker. I think Wiggins is relying more on athleticism at this point than Barnes did coming out of college, He has far more potential imo.

Kobblehead · Post #5 » by **Kobblehead** » Tue May 27, 2014 4:25 pm

j-ragg wrote:I feel like coming out of college Harrison's offense was a little more refined than Wiggins' is now. Seems more comfortable with 1 on 1 moves and getting his own shot.

If Wiggins stayed another year like Barnes did, he's probably look a little more comfortable too. The point is that neither player has a good enough handle to be a great or even very good isolation offensive player.

j-ragg · Post #6 » by **j-ragg** » Tue May 27, 2014 4:30 pm

Kobblehead wrote:
j-ragg wrote:I feel like coming out of college Harrison's offense was a little more refined than Wiggins' is now. Seems more comfortable with 1 on 1 moves and getting his own shot.

If Wiggins stayed another year like Barnes did, he's probably look a little more comfortable too. The point is that neither player has a good enough handle to be a great or even very good isolation offensive player.

I think Harrison can. He just doesn't get the usage on the Ws.

Wiggins is more of a defensive, elite athlete who'll get his buckets in transition and backdoor plays. Harrison I think if you need a bucket can get you one.

I might be a slight Barnes homer though, admittedly.

Kobblehead · Post #7 » by **Kobblehead** » Tue May 27, 2014 4:38 pm

I don't deny that Barnes has had his moments. But Wiggins has too. I mean, his dribble spin move is unstoppable at times. I just don't see consistent handles from either player.

...c.a.p... · Post #8 » by **...c.a.p...** » Tue May 27, 2014 4:46 pm

I think it's a good comparison at the moment. However, Wiggins I feel will better develop into an all around contributor on whatever team he ends up with.

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ratul · Post #9 » by **ratul** » Tue May 27, 2014 4:58 pm

good comparision

mrlancers · Post #10 » by **mrlancers** » Tue May 27, 2014 5:04 pm

I remember Barnes coming out of high school being I believe the #1 rated prospect when he committed to Carolina and all this talk about being a future no. 1 pick and all. I think Wiggins is more athletic and will be a better defender though. I wish Barnes would get a change of scenery though. GS is doing him no favors behind Klay and Iggy. He needs to be starting somewhere because I still think he can be a really good player in the right situation.

ratul · Post #11 » by **ratul** » Tue May 27, 2014 5:06 pm

Barnes is a lot of hype - but so is wiggins - has questionable handles and not aggressive - can't finish at the rim like tony allen.

My picks would be Embiid, Jabari and then wiggins

koolcrud · Post #12 » by **koolcrud** » Tue May 27, 2014 5:14 pm

4 inch vert difference is a lot.

snoopdogg88 · Post #13 » by **snoopdogg88** » Tue May 27, 2014 5:15 pm

clearly the scouts didn't think that highly of Barnes as "his hype" considering he went 7th overall

Wiggins is a possible #1 pick in a loaded draft.

Kobblehead · Post #14 » by **Kobblehead** » Tue May 27, 2014 5:19 pm

snoopdogg88 wrote:clearly the scouts didn't think that highly of Barnes as "his hype" considering he went 7th overall

Wiggins is a possible #1 pick in a loaded draft.

Alot of the intrigue of the unknown went away after Barnes returned for his sophomore season as basically the same player.

kodo · Post #15 » by **kodo** » Tue May 27, 2014 5:19 pm

At this age, it's really hard to tell what Wiggins will become. The profile of a thin 6' 8" kid with a ton of athleticism is very common, there's been plenty of players with that physical profile other than Barnes, like Rudy Gay or Derozan.

Drafting a youngster is all about potential and upside at this point, and hope.
At 19 years of age, Vince Carter was averaging 7 points & 3 rebounds a game against college players.

But IMO the big difference between Barnes & Wiggins is their upside, I don't think Barnes had a ton of upside coming into the NBA whereas i think the opposite if true of Wiggins. But his aggressiveness/focus might not be there to achieve his potential.

Post #16 » by **NyCeEvO** » Tue May 27, 2014 5:24 pm

While Wiggins is more raw, he's more athletic and has a higher ceiling than Barnes.

I can see Barnes becoming a better spot shooter, but his ISO game seems pretty limited and I don't expect him to be able to create off-the-dribble and be a #1 option.

Wiggins is so raw that I'm not sure if he can develop an ISO game. I like what I see from him but because he's got so much potential to be developed, the difference between his floor and ceiling is greater than Harrison Barnes' floor-to-ceiling difference.

Kabookalu · Post #17 » by **Kabookalu** » Tue May 27, 2014 5:24 pm

The difference was that Harrison Barnes came into college with supposedly the most advanced skillset of all time for a high school player, which was why he garnered those Kobe comparisons. He was drastically underwhelming there. It was known that Wiggins was raw and lacked good ball skills, and people were disappointed that he didn't seem to have an urgency to improve them.

Big difference between the two.

ratul · Post #18 » by **ratul** » Tue May 27, 2014 5:54 pm

honestly, I think you go embiid, parker, exum and then wiggins. Exum is a beast, Jabari can play and embiid is the potential guy. Wiggins is just too raw - more harrison barnes than anyone - hope he succeeds b/c he is a great and humble kid, but the reality is just that.

Prokorov · Post #19 » by **Prokorov** » Tue May 27, 2014 5:56 pm

i think wiggins is more terrance ross then harrison barnes...

either way, he isnt a star. i think his celing is a great role player 3 and D guy

Post #20 » by **Nolan** » Tue May 27, 2014 6:03 pm

Kobblehead wrote:Can Kansas really afford to have another bust wing player?

Why can't they? Kansas is about winning NCAA titles not producing NBA stars.