A Barnes "problem".

[AceP]

Barnes is the hero of the day, his contribution is all around. 26 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals. 8-12 FG, 5-7 3P. 3 turnovers are minor for such a performance. That is classic! Kobe/James like.

If anyone noticed, he has been playing well recently. Last game vs TOR, 18p, 6r, 6a, 0 turnover, vs OKC, 14p, 6r, 9a, 4 steals and only 1 turnover, 14p vs CHA. His 3p shooting is also returning, 2-4, 2-4, 2-5, 0-3(team loss @LA), 1-5, 5-7(today).

Not long ago, he had a serious personal slump. His shots were completely off, assists are few but turnovers are way too many. I remember on game-live thread, people often shout-out-loud when he mess up a possession. What happened to him?

Just my observation, that's not really his own problem. Barnes is not a star, he will never be. He is a great role player only if being used properly. He has his strength and his limitation. Just like Barbosa, he needs consistent minutes and a clear role in the system. He is NOT the microwave type of veteran who can leave bench to make immediate impact no matter what's the situation on court.

He was doing great in first 2 months of the season as starter, 3p% was above 40%, very good rebound and assist number, everybody was praising Kerr to have stole him from FA market. But J.Rich's arrival and Hill's returning to starting lineup changed everything. Porter was trying to use him as all-purpose glue, which was a complete failure. He got lost.

First 2 games under Gentry, he still did poorly even it was lopsided team victory. But with Amare out, he finally got the chance to start and play 30+ minutes. The result is too obvious to ignore.


For the team, it is the we-all-know-long-ago problem, our roster is somehow ill-assembled. Last couple of games without Amare is clear proof. This win is very encouraging, IMO, we must add a servicable big who fit this system. Then with Nash/Hill/Shaq healthy into playoff, we probably still have chance to make a deep run, even without Amare.

 

[Shzm13]

I agree with ya, its the playing time.

Hes a run and gun player, Porter didnt really like that and wanted him to play more in the paint, where he actually did pretty well in the begining of the year. He seems to be flourishing under Gentry's style.

 

[devilalum]

Barnes has openly stated that he came here to play SSOL. It seems like is diggin the coaching change. His game is made for this style.

 

[cly2tw]

The past two games showed that we could win without one or two of our starters out, even it's Nash or Amare. So, when Nash comes back healthy, I'd try to rest Hill for 3-4 games to get completely healthy while starting Barnes at PF to keep his confidence up. Once we get into playoffs, we might consider switching between Barnes and Hill to start at SF.
I believe Porter's rotation, which was disgustingly DA like, was responsible for Barnes regress. Both Barnes and LB got only less than 20 a game with Porter playing the starters the entire quarters without substitution. Gentry mix and match a lot more so that we could play our subs of Barnes and LB longer minutes like how Pop uses Manu when they get hot hands.

 

[cly2tw]

Barnes has openly stated that he came here to play SSOL. It seems like is diggin the coaching change. His game is made for this style.

Well, he was signed long after Porter stated his preference at his hiring news conference. And with starters' minutes he was doing fine at the start of Porter's rein.

 

[AceP]

The actual reason for Hill playing 35m+ now is the short of a servicable big man. I'm worrying about Hill's health, especially he is defending against a lot of PFs much bigger than him.

WE NEED A BIG! WE NEED ONE! WE NEED ONE ASAP!

 

[Mainstreet]

The past two games showed that we could win without one or two of our starters out, even it's Nash or Amare. So, when Nash comes back healthy, I'd try to rest Hill for 3-4 games to get completely healthy while starting Barnes at PF to keep his confidence up. Once we get into playoffs, we might consider switching between Barnes and Hill to start at SF.
I believe Porter's rotation, which was disgustingly DA like, was responsible for Barnes regress. Both Barnes and LB got only less than 20 a game with Porter playing the starters the entire quarters without substitution. Gentry mix and match a lot more so that we could play our subs of Barnes and LB longer minutes like how Pop uses Manu when they get hot hands.

I don't even see how you can mention Porter and DA in the same breath. Gentry is playing DA's system although he is admittedly putting more focus on defense which I like. Barnes would have been a regular in DA's offensive rotation. At the moment the Suns are two games behind in the loss column in the Western Conference and cannot afford to rest anyone unless they are injured. Although I haven't compared season match-ups between the contenders in the Western Conference, the Suns will likely have to do better than being tied in the loss column with another contender for the 8th spot at season's end. There is no margin for error for the Suns to make the playoffs thanks to Porter and the loss of Amare.

 

[devilalum]

Well, he was signed long after Porter stated his preference at his hiring news conference. And with starters' minutes he was doing fine at the start of Porter's rein.

I don't think he or a lot of other people ever really bought into Porter's system and he was definitely one of the players that quit on Porter.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Barnes also just had twins right? Right around the time he went into his slump. Now that he is adjusting to being a father, and getting back to SSOL, his game is back in sync.

Just like barbosa, who went through a lot of emotions off the court early in the season. He is playing like an allstar now.

Just going through the motions of life I say.

 

[cly2tw]

I don't even see how you can mention Porter and DA in the same breath. Gentry is playing DA's system although he is admittedly putting more focus on defense which I like. Barnes would have been a regular in DA's offensive rotation. At the moment the Suns are two games behind in the loss column in the Western Conference and cannot afford to rest anyone unless they are injured. Although I haven't compared season match-ups between the contenders in the Western Conference, the Suns will likely have to do better than being tied in the loss column with another contender for the 8th spot at season's end. There is no margin for error for the Suns to make the playoffs thanks to Porter and the loss of Amare.

Rotation-wise, I didn't expect to see Porter being as stupid as DA without DA's success on offense with it. If you want to emphasize defense, you better play many players to keep them fresh for the task. His rotation plan was counterproductive to his own preaching of defense!

Now, as to affording to rest players, it's about relative efficiency of rotation. The way we won without Nash against LA, we should afford to rest him a couple more games instead of rushing him back to soon risking more injuries to his back etc. Gentry has been doing great thing to unleash potentials from the bench to make it even conceivable.

 

[nowagimp]

Barnes is an SSOL player, thats the only system(warroirs) he has ever been successful in. Before the defense is set, barnes can do alot of damage. Hopefully he continues his inspired play.

 

[Chaplin]

I think starting more than SSOL has contributed to Barnes' recent play. His best games this entire season have been when he starts.

 

[nowagimp]

I think starting more than SSOL has contributed to Barnes' recent play. His best games this entire season have been when he starts.

You can say the same about Hill, Barbosa, Diaw as well. They all play better in the starting lineup, though LB not so much at PG. When you start, you have better players around you, especially on the suns. Barnes needs to run because he has poor handles and this makes it more difficult for him to create late in the clock.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

We totally should have tried a starting lineup of

Nash
Barbosa
Hill
Barnes
Diaw
Amare
Shaq


we would totally rock.

 

[Errntknght]

I'm not so sure of that... maybe if they could have three or four basketballs

 

[Wally]

I'm not so sure of that... maybe if they could have three or four basketballs

Might as well include Lopez & Dragic

 

[Covert Rain]

Matt Barnes has contributed defensively to this team. His shot is finally back. However, my complaint about Barnes is that he has been a turnover machine off the bench. He has been responsible for over 50% if the benches turnovers. The good news is that Barnes turnover ration was improved for February.

Maybe someone talked to him about it? The previous 3 months were horrible. Hopefully, this means he has turned over a new leaf in that department too.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

The entire team's turnover rate has been embarrassing. Barnes is guilty, but singling him out is silly at this point. The team's turnover rate is dropping well and time should show nothing but improvements.

 

[mojorizen7]

I told ya'll that it was too soon to quit on this guy.

His struggles IMO were a combination of personal life changes with the new editions and trying to do too much when the team began to quit on Porter.
Now, don't expect LeBron"ish" numbers ala the LAKER game either, you'll be dissappointed.
IMO Barnes is an athletic dirtworker that can get hot from time to time.
He needs minutes(as was already stated by someone else).

 

[Covert Rain]

Barnes is guilty, but singling him out is silly at this point. The team's turnover rate is dropping well and time should show nothing but improvements.

It's not silly when one player accounts for over 50% of your bench TOs. That is huge by any stretch. Hopefully, not just for him but for the entire team this trend continues to go downward.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Yeah im glad I kept my mouth shut when barnes was in a slump

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It's not silly when one player accounts for over 50% of your bench TOs. That is huge by any stretch. Hopefully, not just for him but for the entire team this trend continues to go downward.

He was also getting more minutes than anyone on the bench minus Barbosa, who has his fair share of TOs as well. Both of them were asked to do quite a lot with the second squad, and both are not primary ball handlers or passers. Both have also flourished under Gentry. Im content with clean slating both of them for anything under porter's failure at coaching.

 

[Covert Rain]

He was also getting more minutes than anyone on the bench minus Barbosa, who has his fair share of TOs as well. Both of them were asked to do quite a lot with the second squad, and both are not primary ball handlers or passers. Both have also flourished under Gentry. Im content with clean slating both of them for anything under porter's failure at coaching.

True but the change in system alone is not responsible for his reduction in February because his turnover numbers have been down even pre-coaching/system change. That is why I was thinking someone talked to him.

In terms of Barbosa, his turnover numbers have been great all season except in Feb (which is opposite of Barnes). It appears he is turning the ball over more in the run and gun system.

 

[Errntknght]

It appears he[Barbosa] is turning the ball over more in the run and gun system.

Barbs is trying to run the offense more of late, and passing more gives him more opportunities for turnovers. Its really not been a major problem - nothing like that bad stretch Barnes had. Leo's assists have gone up more than his turnovers so he's actually improved his asst/TO ratio. Last 10 games 2.15, season 1.81, career 1.83. I think Barbs is playing the best ball of his career now - better floor game, better D, and he's pulling up for jumpers on his drives when necessary. The only negative is his 3 pt shooting which is down below 35%.

 

[Covert Rain]

Barbs is trying to run the offense more of late, and passing more gives him more opportunities for turnovers. Its really not been a major problem - nothing like that bad stretch Barnes had. Leo's assists have gone up more than his turnovers so he's actually improved his asst/TO ratio. Last 10 games 2.15, season 1.81, career 1.83. I think Barbs is playing the best ball of his career now - better floor game, better D, and he's pulling up for jumpers on his drives when necessary. The only negative is his 3 pt shooting which is down below 35%.

Barbs is having a great season. He 3 Pt shot is down but I expect that to pick up now as well. I think he will have more open looks.

 

[nowagimp]

Barbs is trying to run the offense more of late, and passing more gives him more opportunities for turnovers. Its really not been a major problem - nothing like that bad stretch Barnes had. Leo's assists have gone up more than his turnovers so he's actually improved his asst/TO ratio. Last 10 games 2.15, season 1.81, career 1.83. I think Barbs is playing the best ball of his career now - better floor game, better D, and he's pulling up for jumpers on his drives when necessary. The only negative is his 3 pt shooting which is down below 35%.

On the pregame show they pointed out that in the gentry era he is at 20.5ppg playing ssorshaq, compared with 12.6ppg with porter. LB is one of the most dangerous players in the NBA on the break. I love the way he popped kobe in the mouth with his elbow, while finishing on the break.