May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30, right) receives a hug from head coach Mark Jackson (left) after leaving the game during the fourth quarter in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The magical playoff run for the Golden State Warriors has unfortunately come to a close. The San Antonio Spurs closed the series against the Warriors with 94-82 victory, and though the box score looks like a blowout, the game was close up until the very last minutes.

Let’s take a closer look at how each player did in the Warriors last game of the 2012-2013 season.

May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) leads his team and fans in a huddle chant after the loss to the San Antonio Spurs in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Golden State Warriors 94-82 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Point Guard: Stephen Curry

During the course of this offseason, Stephen Curry become a physical embodiment of the spirit of the Warriors. He was largely underrated, passed over for an All-Star nod, and his true potential only began to show in the post-All-Star break. Curry’s skill and potential was demonstrated on the national stage as he took the playoffs by storm, and at the age of 25, he is undeniably a superstar.

In Game 6, Curry scored a game high 22 points, going 10-of-25, and scoring half of his points in just the second quarter. He struggled from beyond the arc, making just two of his eight attempts. He also picked up six assists and four rebounds.

Over the course of his career, people point to Stephen Curry’s defense as one of his weaker points, but it was clear that he stepped his defense up in last night’s game. His primary defensive matchup, Tony Parker, went just 3-of-16, due in no small part to Curry’s defensive efforts.

Although Game 6 was a disappointing end to a truly fantastic season, Stephen Curry demonstrated that he is just at the peak of his carer and, should he stay healthy, he will mature into one of the greatest point guards in the modern era.

Overall Grade: A

May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson (11) is consoled by power forward David Lee (10, right) against the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guard: Klay Thompson

We have seen two Klay Thompsons this postseason. We have seen the Klay Thompson that plays lockdown on-ball defense, that scores 34 points against the Spurs in the offseason, that averages 18 points a game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent from downtown on six attempts. But in the last four games, we have seen another Klay Thompson. One that averages only 10 points a game on 34 percent shooting from the field and only three attempts from beyond the arc.

Game 6 provided no solace for Thompson as he made just four of his 12 attempts, and although he made clutch shots, he found himself in the same rut as his previous games.

Unfortunately, the sophomore swingman finished his 2012-2013 as the latter. The Washington State University product has a lot on his mind as the season ends, namely his culpability in the end of the Warrior’s playoff run, and hopefully these thoughts motivate him to train during the offseason.

With the rise of Harrison Barnes, Klay Thompson will not just carry over his position as the second scoring option into the next season, he will need to earn it.

Overall Grade: C+

May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors small forward Harrison Barnes (40) is helped off the court after an injury during the second quarter in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forward: Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes has become the Warriors story of the Warriors. After experiencing undue amounts of hype during his high school years, Barnes found himself unable to live up to the hype, and his draft stock depreciated as a consequence. His play was largely quiet during the 2012-2013 regular season as he only averaged nine points and four rebounds.

After David Lee’s injury in Game 1 of the postseason, Barnes was thrust into the national spotlight, and the player who was overrated so much that he became underrated delivered beyond all expectations. In the course of the postseason run, he has averaged 16 points and six rebounds, but beyond that, he has demonstrated his mental maturity beyond his years and also a skill ceiling that has not yet been reached. The most unbelieveable fact about him is that he still just a rookie of 20 years.

He did not have a great game in the final game of the playoffs, scoring nine points on 40 percent shooting, but what the stats don’t show is how he took one of the hardest falls in the playoffs, got six stitches, and came back no more than five minutes later with a swollen right eye and still played with intensity.

Harrison Barnes represents the team’s youth and inexperience, but also its high potential and promise for future seasons.

Overall Grade: B

May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors power forward Carl Landry (7) with center Festus Ezeli (31) fouls San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) during the third quarter of game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forward: Festus Ezeli

Festus Ezeli filled the role of starting power forward in Game 6, a role that has been filled by many people during this postseason. Unfortunately, he didn’t really do anything in his 23 minutes of game time, finishing the night with just 2 points, going 0-of-2 from the field and only making two of his four free throws. He did manage to rack up seven boards, but his early foul trouble limited his play.

The power forward role will be the most flexible going forward, and is clearly still the least defined for the offseason. Hopefully David Lee recovers fully and he can come back in full force for the next season.

Overall Grade: C

May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12, left) and shooting guard Klay Thompson (11, right) react against the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Center: Andrew Bogut

Andrew Bogut played the least of all the starters in Game 6, logging only twenty minutes of game time, probably due to his ongoing battle with injuries.

He finished the night with three points, making only one of his three field goal attempts, but grabbed seven rebounds. The Australian center has struggled with injuries all season long, and he was clearly hobbled in last nights game.

Throughout this postseason, Bogut has demonstrated himself as a capable defender and a strong post presence when he is at 100 percent, but unfortunately he could not finish the season as such.

Overall Grade: B-

May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Jarrett Jack (2) passes out the ball between San Antonio Spurs point guard Gary Neal (14) and center Boris Diaw (33) during the first quarter of game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Sixth Man: Jarrett Jack

If you would have told me two weeks ago that I would have been yelling at Klay Thompson for taking shots when he should be giving them to Jarrett Jack, I would have called you crazy.

The 29 year old Sixth Man has averaged 17 points on 50 percent shooting this postseason, making an average of six of his 12 attempts. He has also averaged four rebounds, five assists, and one steal in his last 12 games. He has also seen an increase in his minutes, from just under 30 minutes in the regular season to about 36 minutes in the playoffs.

In Game 6, Jack finished the night with 12 points, making six of his 12 attempts. He logged 32 minutes, and played the most behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Though Jack has been criticized in the past for taking too many shots or making mental errors, he has demonstrated himself as a reliable backup point guard and someone who can add instant offense when the Warriors’ play is getting too stagnant. Hopefully the Dubs can retain Jarrett Jack this postseason.

Overall Grade: A+

May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30, right) receives a hug from power forward David Lee (left) after leaving the game during the fourth quarter in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Bench

The Warriors bench really stepped up in their last effort of the season, scoring a cumulative 21 points on 38 percent shooting and racking 16 up sixteen boards. Andris Biedrins played his most minutes of the postseason, logging in eleven minutes off the bench to help a hobbled Andrew Bogut and a Festus Ezeli who ran into foul trouble.

Carl Landry and David Lee lead the bench in scoring, with Landry scoring 11 points on 50 percent shooting and grabbing seven rebounds to boot. Lee, who has been playing one one leg since Game 1 of the Denver series, logged an impressive 12 minutes. Lee scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds.

Overall Grade: B+

May 10, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors small forward Harrison Barnes (40) celebrates after a basket against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter of game three of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

After the Golden State Warriors mustered a comeback win Sunday most of the talk was about Harrison Barnes for breakout game, and Andrew Bogut for his continued dominance in the paint.

So, one has to wonder, which player is more important to the success of the Warriors going forward, both the short-term and long-term. Either way, this is not a simple question.

For the short-term, both have strengths which cannot be replicated by others on the roster. Long-term, there are varying issues that will shape the Warriors for seasons to come. However, they are for the most part undetermined. (health, contracts and other personnel development play heavily into this outlook)  So, for the purpose of this discussion, let’s stay a bit more short sighted and focus on the task at hand–the current playoff run.

There is no question that when Bogut is healthy, he is one of the leading defensive forces in the game. Conversely, when Barnes has it going, he is the most well-rounded overall player on the roster (yeah, I said it).  In terms of player efficiency, Bogut ranks ahead of Barnes, which is likely due to the fact that he is grabbing every rebound in limited minutes. But on the same note, Barnes ranks ahead of Klay Thompson thanks to a fewer amount turnovers despite the increased level of responsibility

May 10, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) defends San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) during the fourth quarter of game three of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

So, if Bogut plays fewer minutes, and is more efficient, his minutes have more value than Barnes. However, what about those minutes that Bogut is not on the floor. This is where the conversation gets interesting.

The Barnes and Bogut combination have averaged about 25 minutes a game, which is about  86 percent of Bogut’s total time on the floor.  That combination is third in overall plus-minus of all the possible two-player combinations for the  Warriors.

But, who is a party to three of the top 5 combinations? Barnes (first, third and fifth). Bogut obviously ranked high as well, finishing third and fifth. Reflecting on the statistics, it is interesting that Barnes and not Thompson is in the first group despite the fact that Thompson is paired up with scoring, making it the unequivocal higher-scoring duo. But Barnes is more versatile than Thompson, and that is why he is having what appears to be more success.

Barnes, although a rookie, is getting all the opportunities he wants in this postseason, as evident in the 26 shot attempts in Game 4. Moreover, his time on the floor is typically with a vast array of other Warriors, such as Draymond Green and Festus Ezeli, who don’t demand the ball, whereas Bogut is on the floor with the starters.

It is crucial for Barnes to keep the ship afloat because he is out there longer, and he has not disappointed. His ability to guard every position except the center position is a huge benefit to the Warriors, and it also allows him to stay on the floor longer.

In addition, his offensive game, I would argue, is the most varied on the team. When Barnes is punishing smaller defenders down low, that typically bodes the entire Warriors offense well. He can create space and shoot over the top of smaller defenders, or penetrate past bigger guys, creating opportunities for shooters as the San Antonio Spurs collapse.

Bogut,on the other hand, is a two trick pony, dominating the lane by blocking shots and rebounding. He has, however, mastered the two tricks, so it’s not like it is a bad thing. Any points you get from are gravy, but that is not why he is in there. He is there to change shots, limit the Spurs to one possession and get additional ones for the Warriors’ offense.

May 2, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors small forward Harrison Barnes (40) dunks against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter of game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Nuggets 92-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Of the remaining teams, he is the league leader in the rebounding department even despite playing the fewer minutes.  But can a portion of what he does be replicated? Perhaps. Ezeli has shown some ability to cause havoc and gain extra possessions for Golden State. And, in more recent instances, even Andris Biedrins has given (brief) minutes of providing some energy on the boards. Obviously, neither are the dominating presence of Bogut, and neither has the overall feels of the Aussie; but, it could be argued that if Bogut were to miss significant time due to injury or foul trouble, all may not be lost due to the similar skill set of Ezeli and Biedrins.

Regardless, the Warriors need both Barnes and Bogut to continue to produce to extend the team’s unbelievable run. But it becomes a choice of preference in terms of who is more important.  Jack of all trades or master of two. In terms of recent successes, you have to look no further than the most recent NBA champs for which model may work better.  A “positionless” lineup seems to create the most problems in terms of matching up.  Bogut’s contributions are significant nonetheless, but, due to less minutes, may not have as much overall impact on the outcome of the game as much as Barne’s minutes do.

So, for what is worth, in my opinion, Barnes is the key going forward for Warriors’ success due to overall swiss army knife-ness of his game.