Dallas Mavericks: Harrison Barnes disrespected in ESPN NBArank

 Dallas Mavericks forward and leading scorer Harrison Barnes checks in at 79 in ESPN’s NBArank which is far too low.

The Dallas Mavericks signed Harrison Barnes in 2016.  In the two seasons since all he has done is average 19.0 points per game on 45.7 percent shooting from the field.  He led the Mavs in scoring both years and has quietly been their best player.

The Mavericks figure to improve this season after the additions of Luka Doncic and DeAndre Jordan, but Barnes is still the favorite to lead them in scoring.  He should increase his efficiency with more open looks this year.

ESPN NBArank is far too low

ESPN released their NBArank this week.  It is designed to determine who is the best player for the 2018-2019 season.  Harrison Barnes check in at 79 on the list and that is disrespectfully low.

Barnes was 59th on Sports Illustrated’s Top 100 and that was not high enough.

Last season, Barnes was 27th in the NBA in points per game and 48th in efficiency.  He is also not a flashy player or massive statistical producer.  Barnes does his job of leading the Mavs in scoring and playing solid defense at either forward spot.  He is superb at attacking his defender and finding a way to get a bucket.

Harrison Barnes is a top 50 player in the NBA.  ESPN ranked bench players over him and that was not wise.  Barnes was better than many players above him on their list last season.  The Maverick is only 26 years old.  If anything, Barnes takes a step forward this year.  Regardless, it is not wise to bet against him dropping 19 points per game and playing efficient basketball.

Final thoughts

Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes was ranked far too low in ESPN’s NBArank.  Barnes will not have to wait long to prove his critics wrong.  Training camp kicks off on Sept. 21 with media day.  That marks the beginning of the new season.

The Mavs regular season opener is under a month away.  They head to Phoenix to play the Suns on Oct. 17.  The Mavericks home opener is on Saturday, Oct. 20 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.  Fans are ready for the season to kickoff and it cannot get here fast enough.  Expect Dallas to make the biggest improvement of any NBA team as they push for the playoffs.  Stay tuned.

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