How Harrison Barnes’ experience can help steady the Kings’ young, ‘frantic’ team
When Harrison Barnes arrived in Sacramento, it gave the Kings a prototypical small forward many felt the team was missing.
At 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds, he provides the size the Kings lacked on the wing while bringing valuable playoff experience that was lost when Iman Shumpert was traded a few hours before the announcement was made that the team was acquiring Barnes.
Barnes, in his seventh NBA season, has played in nine games with the Kings. Monday was arguably his best. He had his third double-double with the Kings, finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds in a 115-108 victory over the New York Knicks at Golden 1 Center.
The victory over the league’s worst team at 13-51 snapped a three-game slide. Kings coach Dave Joerger was complimentary of Barnes’ game.
“I thought it was pretty solid,” he said. “A lot of numbers and a lot of spaces there in the scoring and things that show up in all the other columns, but he helped us defensively in ways that probably don’t get looked at. Being able to keep guys in front, guarding bigger players and keeping them off of the glass as he comes up with 10 defensive rebounds.
“I thought he made some savvy plays to finish some buckets around the rim. Took his time, and that’s good for us as we grow because we are a bit frantic at times with our youth. That can be very steady for us.”
Barnes did most of his damage in the third quarter, when he scored half of his night’s total. He cashed in on a dunk, layup, 3-pointer and four free throws. In all, his 22 points – his most with the Kings – trailed only leading scorer Buddy Hield, who had 28.
He alluded that his scoring isn’t a priority, especially when the end result is favorable.
“I think the biggest thing is that we got a much-needed win,” Barnes said. “Coming here, I always said there are plenty of people to score the basketball, so that’s something that I don’t necessarily have to focus on. Rebounding and defending: Those are the things I try to do every night and be able to get a win.”
Wins are needed for a team that’s trying to end the league’s longest current postseason drought. At 32-31, the Kings have 19 games left in their bid to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
They didn’t get much help from the competition Monday.
The San Antonio Spurs, who sit three games ahead of the Kings in the Western Conference standings, held off a late rally by the visiting Denver Nuggets and won 104-103 after Gary Harris’ 3-pointer at the buzzer was unsuccessful.
Also, in a battle of Los Angeles teams, the Clippers beat the Lakers 113-105 to remain 3 1/2 games ahead of the ninth-place Kings.
On a good note for the Kings, the Utah Jazz lost 115-112 to the New Orleans Pelicans. The sixth-place Jazz are four games ahead of Sacramento.
Should the Kings find themselves in, they’ll have someone on the roster with championship experience. Barnes was a starter on the Golden State Warriors team that won the title in 2014-15. He’s shown he can score, averaging 18.7 points while starting all 205 games with the Dallas Mavericks before coming to Sacramento via trade Feb. 6, the day before the league deadline.
“We need Harrison to be aggressive,” Kings forward Corey Brewer said. “I’ve told him the last few days, ‘You need to be more aggressive. That’s why they brought you here. That’s why they want you here.’ Tonight, he did what he was supposed to do.”
Barnes’ average is down with the Kings, as he’s scored 12.7 points in his nine starts, well below the 17.9 points he averaged with Dallas. Still, since coming to Sacramento, the team has an improved defensive rating.
“He’s definitely been a lot better than a lot of people thought he would be,” Kings guard De’Aaron Fox said about Barnes’ defense. “It’s all about getting comfortable with your new team, and I think he is.”
As for offense, Monday’s game could be what he needs to break out. Still, he’s not surprised how well he’s fit in with his teammates.
“When I first got here, I had always said that the guys we had here are good guys,” Barnes said. “It’s easy to get along with the team off the floor. So when you can have a good relationship off the floor, it’s easy on the floor. It’s been smooth and it’s been enjoyable. We’re having fun.”
With continued success and a little luck, that fun could continue into mid and late April. But first, the Kings have a Wednesday home date with the Boston Celtics.
This story was originally published March 4, 2019 at 9:34 PM.