Golden State Warriors: Top 20 Draft Picks in History

March 23, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; 1975 NBA Championship Golden State Warriors team members Clifford Ray (left), Rick Barry (center), and Jamaal Wilkes (right) address the media in a press conference before the game between the Warriors and the Washington Wizards at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 23, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; 1975 NBA Championship Golden State Warriors team members Clifford Ray (left), Rick Barry (center), and Jamaal Wilkes (right) address the media in a press conference before the game between the Warriors and the Washington Wizards at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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19. Harrison Barnes

Now, I know what you are thinking here. How could Harrison Barnes be a top 20 draft pick in franchise history? Look a little closer, and you will see why.

Sure, Barnes stabbed a proverbial knife into the hearts of every Warriors fan with his combined 15 points, nine rebounds, and two assists in the final three games of last years NBA Finals. Sure, he did shoot 15.6 percent from the field and 20 percent from behind the arc in those final three historic games which ultimately led to the perhaps greatest collapse and most shocking upset in professional sports history.

Yes, Harrison Barnes did all of that, but once you get past it, you realize Barnes meant a lot to this franchise during his four years in blue & gold.

Barnes averaged 16.1 points per game in the postseason his rookie year, otherwise known as “the birth of playoff Barnes.” Harrison had a shaky sophomore season, but bounced back in 2014 and contributed nicely pouring in over 40 percent of his three point attempts. He’s no slouch ladies and gentleman, and as we know he was a key factor in the Warriors “Death Lineup” which helped lead them to their first NBA championship in 40 years, and while you may hate to admit it, Barnes had a lot to do with that ring.

So, throw away your distain for the Black Falcon, because without him, the Warriors may still be without a Larry O’Brien trophy since 1975.