I want to begin this piece by thanking the Chicago Bulls. I don't think I've ever properly thanked them for being the catalyst for Harrison Barnes' arrival in San Antonio via Sacramento. He's been tremendous [during his time in silver and black](https://airalamo.com/posts/what-harrison-barnes-capable-given-night-may-shock-you). The ex-Tar Heel started the season slowly, but he's quickly regained his spot as the team's best shooter, and not a moment too soon.
Barnes has been a starter everywhere he's been. That's not a coincidence. He's a high-level plug-and-play forward who provides great shooting, consistency, and a steady head. Fans often refer to Stephon Castle as somewhat of a Kawhi Leonard replica, and there's merit to that. But HB is the main guy who seems unfazed, no matter the situation.
That's why he's so widely respected by his teammates wherever he goes. He's a consummate professional. It's high time his performance in the 2016 NBA Finals was buried.
Barnes has made his mark in this league
---------------------------------------
HB was unfairly stained after a lackluster showing the year when LeBron James led the Cavaliers to a comeback victory against the Golden State Warriors after being down 3-1 in the series. It was a historic series on many fronts, but Barnes was on the wrong side of it.
Draymond Green got himself suspended for Game 5 (shocker), and Warriors fans hoped their 23-year-old wing would step up. He ended up going 2-14 from the field in the loss and followed it up with zero points in Game 6. The vitriol from that fan base was intense, and they shunned Barnes, celebrating when they traded him away to make room for Kevin Durant (who he just torched for 24 points).
First, let me say that it's less about making room for KD than it is about how he's been treated since. People still bring up that performance to this day, but it's unfair. It was only Harrison's fourth season in the league. He's not Steph Curry, and even the Chef got six years under his belt before he even made the playoffs.
Barnes was forced to grow up quickly because the Dubs made it to the postseason in his first year. That doesn't change the fact that he was only 23, trying to help shoulder the weight of the world with LeBron James on the other side of him. And let's not forget that he was a part of the team that brought a ring to the Bay just one year prior. They should have shown him more respect.
Whatever people think of him now, I'm sure he doesn't care. He has a wife and a family; he's made millions by being a quality starter in the toughest basketball league in the world for 13 years. Now he's playing next to the next phenom, and the [team is winning games](https://airalamo.com/nba-insiders-come-to-colossal-spurs-conclusion-others-are-struggling-with) with him as their best shooter. Life has been pretty good for HB.