Hoops Habit
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NBA: Top 25 Players Under 25 Years Old

By Maxwell Ogden

May 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with guard Kyrie Irving (2) after a 106-101 win over the Chicago Bulls in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with guard Kyrie Irving (2) after a 106-101 win over the Chicago Bulls in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) dunks the basketball against Houston Rockets guard Corey Brewer (33) during the fourth quarter in game one of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 110-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) dunks the basketball against Houston Rockets guard Corey Brewer (33) during the fourth quarter in game one of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 110-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Harrison Barnes, Golden State Warriors

Position: Small Forward

Age: 23

2014-15 Slash Line: .482/.405/.720

2014-15 Season Averages: 28.3 MPG, 10.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.1 3PM

Accolades: NBA Champion, All-Rookie First Team

It’s very difficult to pad statistics on a team as deep and balanced as the Golden State Warriors. For that reason, studying Harrison Barnes’ numbers would be ill-advised if one is attempting to determine his value to the reigning NBA champions.

The only thing you actually need to know is this: Barnes averaged upwards of 30 minutes per game during the 2015 NBA Playoffs and the Warriors won the NBA championship.

Barnes’ numbers will be limited for as long as he plays alongside Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompson. Curry won NBA MVP in 2014-15, Thompson was named All-NBA and Iguodala deservingly received the Finals MVP award.

Some saw Barnes being benched for Iguodala as an indictment, but the latter’s performance and star profile suggest it was strictly strategic.

Barnes, 23, still has time to develop into the star many projected him to be. He’s shown flashes of doing so, combining a well-rounded skill set with tantalizing athleticism and powerful core strength.

If Barnes’ efficiency tells any story, it’s that he’s ready to take on a bigger role.

Next: The Slept On Star in the Making