Grading the Golden State Warriors In Game 1 Loss To Denver Nuggets

Harrison Barnes: C-

The Warriors’ top rookie played a below-average game in his first playoff match, but that shouldn’t discourage him at all.

Apr 20, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (left) brings the ball down the court next to Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) during the second half of game one of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won97-95. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

It isn’t easy to get thrown right into the pressure cooker and be expected to put up a monster performance against one of the more versatile teams in the NBA that only lost three home games in the regular season. Barnes contributed eight points, an assist and two rebounds, to go along with his two 3-pointers that he knocked down.

Barnes never really did anything that made the Nuggets coaching staff adjust to him, but when you’re playing alongside stars like Stephen Curry and David Lee, it’s not likely that opponents will be focusing on you . However, the  rookie small forward played nicely.