Golden State Warriors: Curbing Your Enthusiasm for Andre Iguodala

3. Hindering Harrison Barnes’ Development

Nov 19, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors small forward Harrison Barnes (40) waits for play to resume during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Warriors defeated the Mavericks 105-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

This point is largely contingent on what lineups coach Mark Jackson wants to use next year and whether or not Harrison Barnes or Klay Thompson is coming off the bench.

Thompson seems like the ideal sixth man because he has experience, a hot hand and provides above-average on-ball defense on the perimeter. But Jackson might value experience more. If he chooses the latter option, then we could see Barnes’ development really suffer.

During the regular season, the Black Falcon only played 25.4 minutes a game. He put up fairly lackluster numbers, and if it wasn’t for the playoffs, he would have been remembered as just another rookie finding his way in the league.

But we can’t ignore the playoffs.

Barnes delivered when he was given the opportunity, and thus upped his per 36-minute scoring numbers from 13.1 to 15.1 and shot more efficiently as well. He displayed a keen back-to-basket play that is reminiscent of a young Carmelo Anthony. Like Anthony, Barnes displayed a proficiency at playing the 4 in smaller lineupsm and that added versatility which the Warriors were able to frustrate George Karl and Gregg Popovich with.

Again, if Jackson chooses to keep Barnes as a starter, this point is moot, but look at this as a sneaky disadvantage of the trade if the 6’8’’ forward ends up riding the pine.