When pressed for a player comparison on the most recent Lowe Post, Daryl Morey mentioned Harrison Barnes as a comp. for Rockets forward Sam Dekker.
Via basketballreference, here are the per 36 numbers for both players in their second seasons. Dekker is 22 and Barnes was 21, at the time.
Barnes was a slightly better three point shooter at that stage than Dekker, but Dekker is significantly better on 2’s.
And here’s the much more meaningful advanced statistical breakdown. Dekker is significantly better on the boards and also blocks more shots while turning the ball over less. Morey had noted in the interview that he felt Dekker was the better player.
And here is Barnes through the years, leading up to this season, his age-24 season. Points have gone up drastically due to the higher usage but the rebounding totals are pretty disappointing for a player of that athleticism. The long distance shooting has also come down to earth now that he has been removed from that Golden State ecosystem. Barnes is on the books this season for the Mavs at $22 million.
One hopes Dekker can duplicate the shooting accuracy Barnes provided the Warriors in 2014-2015 (41% on 3’s) en route to their title. He’s the latest of Morey’s draft-day gems.
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