Can Harrison Barnes break out like James Harden if he goes to another team?

[killacalijatt]

Barnes wil never average 20ppg. EVER. But he can be a great 3rd option.

[turk3d]

Barnes as a #1? Let's see how he does as a #2 somewhere before we make that determination as to whether it's even possible. And we won't ever see that over in Golden State. He's fine for a 2nd tier max deal and I'm sure that there will be a few teams out there who can afford and have a need for someone with his particular skillset.

I really wish that this thread title didn't try to compare him to Harden and if so could have probably generated a more meaningful discussion. In OKC, Harden was the 3rd option coming off the bench whereas Barnes is barely that as a starter on Golden State if that, with Green's emergence. And I say this as a big Barnes fan (have been since he was drafted).

[TeamTragic]

Of course he can. This same question was asked about Harden. History will repeat itself.

[Pure_Basketball]

Wow I don't see that potential in Barnes at all to become a superstar. Decent 3rd option at best.

[inquisitive]

i havent watched enough of him. does he get to the rim?

[JDizzel3000]

Don't see why he can't become a jimmy butler quality wing

[Liver_Pooty]

He may want to turn into a Kent Bazemore before he worries about being James Harden. Ridiculous.

[JB2]

He may want to turn into a Kent Bazemore before he worries about being James Harden. Ridiculous.

He's already very much on that level if not a step ahead.

[spacemonkey]

Don't see why he can't become a jimmy butler quality wing

Jimmy's handle is much, much better than Barnes'. I think you've got to look more toward the Rudy Gay comparison than the Jimmy Butler one.

[old rem]

Of course he can. This same question was asked about Harden. History will repeat itself.

Harden was a volme scorer not getting the touches. Barnes.. is no volume scorer. Hardly tops 20 once a month. Good player but....no way he's gonna transform this far in. It will be interesting how much $ he gets next summer.

[Westbreezy]

It's funny, I'm not saying he could breakout like James Harden but the responses in this thread are so ironic considering that the thread about Harden himself getting traded to Houston was also full of people saying he could never be a 1st option and would fail badly.

[turk3d]

Not even. Barnes is not even a #3 on his team, Harden was at least that. Barnes definitely has the ability to become a star in this league (what do stars get paid nowadays?) but superstar (which love him or hate him, Harden is) no. Let;s see him breakout as a star first before labeling him a potential superstar. Star would really be nice though which is why I think he's strongly leaving Golden State which I don't think he much of a chance to reach that level (star player = star money and I don't whether a team, even the Warriors will be willing to pay that kind of money to a #4 option)..

[GettinitDone]

He lacks one-on-one moves to create space off dribble. He's good where he is, playing as 4th, 5th option.

[turk3d]

He lacks one-on-one moves to create space off dribble. He's good where he is, playing as 4th, 5th option.

He still has a ways to go, but you'll find that he's even improved in this regard and should continue to do so. At just 23, he's still got a ways to go before reaching his prime.

[wraith985]

He's improved in every facet of his game this year. My main issue with him is that he lacks an elite skill, and that's what I think will prevent him from having a Harden-like ascent. That said, he's better off the dribble this year, he's a pretty good midrange shooter, hits the corner 3, is a versatile defender (though the actual defensive skills could still use a bit of work), and his on-court awareness has improved massively this year. The popular comparison on the Warriors board is Nic Batum, and I think it's pretty apt - very nice third option, passable second option in a pinch, but you don't want him as top dog.

[Ballerhogger]

Honestly I hope he goes somewhere else after this year . Im curious how well can do. He will never be a star or HOF if he stays at GSW. /come to LA

[Downtown]

Do I think he can break out like Harden? No, I don't. Can he be more of a force on another team? It all depends on the individual circumstance.

For instance. On a team like Portland, who can afford him in free agency, he would still be behind Lillard and McCollum on offence. So if you take Portland's small forward, Al Farouq Aminu, and replace him with Barnes, then I would say no he can't break out like Harden. Barnes and Aminu play almost the same minutes per game and both attempt the same number of shots, and both of them have very close overall stats. So paying over double to Barnes from what Aminu makes isn't worth it to Portland given that Barnes would be in the same situation as Aminu.

So while Barnes could surely be more impactful for another team, he would have to choose that team wisely in free agency.

[turk3d]

Barnes tearing it up in the first half of tonights game against Denver.

[EvanZ]

And...predictably awful in the second half when they needed him.

[murphadam420]

Tonight showed how limited Barnes is. 14 points in the first quarter, then nothing for the rest of the game, and lots of long, fading twos. The ball died every time it went to him. On a team full of ball movers he is the only stopper, so frustrating. Just bad shot after bad shot and low bball IQ. On top of that he will be 24 in May, doubt he gets much better. Warriors should let him walk.