Why I No Longer Hate the Idea of Maxing Out Harry B
Ugh. I wanted to cut my fingers off when I typed that title. This has been the toughest few days of being a Mavs fan since the days after Dallas lost the 2006 Finals. Dallas struck out on Hassan Whiteside. Dallas struck out on Mike Conley. Dallas didn't even get a meeting with Nicolas Batum. Dallas has apparently put in offers for Dwyane Wade, who I recently said there was no way got an offer from Dallas. That situation is still far from probable, but it's out there. Dallas literally doesn't sound interested in anyone, according to Mike Fisher who has bursted nearly every idea bubble that is out there. Almost anyone that Dallas would have originally been interested in is off the board and now, we get desperate. Harrison Barnes desperate. I started this post before the Mavs signed Dwight Powell and D-Will back. Made some changes here and there, but things are starting to look up in Mavs land. Really, I promise.
So, after the finals, I didn't want Harrison Barnes to even be a plan Z for Dallas. Before the Finals, literally in the first round, I would've been okay with Dallas making a run at him. Well, now I'm at a point that I actually want Dallas to sign him, and now I'll try to convince you to get in the same boat as me.
He's Young
The guy is 24 years old. Given, he's been in the league since he was 20 years old, but 24 is 24. Dallas has always been known for being old. They bring in veteran guys that have a lot of experience under their belts and build with that. If Harrison Barnes comes in on a 4 year max deal, he's only 28 at the end of that deal and that's still at the prime of his career. The Mavs have a nice young stud in Justin Anderson who will be the perfect backup for Harrison Barnes now that he's a Maverick, and having a younger stud backing up a young stud (yes, I use this term loosely), is never a bad thing.
He's Steadily Improved
The word steadily here is huge, because it hasn't been drastic, but he has definitely improved year by year. His rookie season, Barnes averaged 9.2 points per game; this season (his 4th year), the small forward put up 11.7 points per game. The strongest facet of Barnes' offensive game has always been his mid-range, and if he can continue to develop it, it could be a dangerous weapon in the Mavs' offense. Also in his rookie season, Harry B shot 35% from behind the three point line, this season? 38%. Like I said, it isn't drastic, but it's good, and it shows promise. Being 24 years old and already showing improvement is a great sign for whoever gets him this summer.
He Goes to Work on Defense
The one facet of Harrison Barnes' game that will most definitely be an upgrade over Chandler Parsons' will be his ability to defend. With Golden State being such a high scoring offense, they need someone that focuses on defense. Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes were those anchors in the Warriors' system. He's long and athletic and jumps all over whoever his opponent is. A wing defensive duo of Harrison Barnes and Wes Matthews could make up for what Conley and Wes would have brought to Dallas on the defensive side of things. Not overall, unfortunately.
New Maverick Harrison Barnes tying up the Finals MVP, LeBron James.
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
He's Athletic
This is the second best part of the signing in my opinion, the first being his age. An athletic wing is something Dallas has been missing from their starting lineup since Josh Howard basically. Justin Anderson is only a couple years younger than Barnes, but I could definitely see Anderson modeling his game after Barnes. His athleticism and slashing ability will be an incredible boost to Dallas' starting lineup.
Look, Harrison Barnes was probably never any team's Plan A. Okay, maybe the 76ers, and to them I say, you did that to yourselves. But, he can still do a lot of good things for a team in need of a small forward. He's proven that he can start on a championship team. He's 24 years old. I can't emphasize that enough. Getting younger while giving your team a chance to stay in "win-now" mode is never a bad thing. Is he better than Chandler Parsons? No. Could he be? I think so. There's things he can do (like stay healthy), that CP couldn't do, and there's things CP could do that Harry B can't. You may still hate this signing, and that's okay. A little less than a month ago I probably would have too. But at this point, we can't be too picky and we can only look forward to what we might have. Now that KD has signed with the Warriors, Harrison Barnes will be a Dallas Maverick. Welcome to the team young one.
