Fansided

Harrison Barnes makes victory champagne his first-ever swig of booze

By Jonathan Bass

Jun 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) shoots the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ezra Shaw-Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) shoots the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ezra Shaw-Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports /
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Harrison Barnes’ first-ever swig of alcohol was victory champagne after winning the NBA Finals.

Harrison Barnes picked one helluva time to fall off the wagon. What better moment in life to drink booze for the first time than to swig the sweet nectar of victory champagne after winning the NBA Finals.

(it’s a lot better than this author’s first go-round – Ten High Whiskey somewhere in the dunes of Daytona Beach – that’s for sure)

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It’s not like he really had a choice in the matter. When they tarp up the locker room, bust out the goggles and start popping bottles it’s pretty much impossible not to get a taster. Take it from Steph …

Luckily there are no Barney Gumbles on Golden State’s squad, else there’d be one less jetpack flying around Cleveland.

Back to Barnes: he had himself a nice series, averaging  roughly 9 points, 6 rebounds one steal and a block per game against the Cavaliers. His best showing came in the pivotal Game 4, when he scored 14 points and grabbed 8 boards to help Golden State stem Cleveland’s momentum following a two-game win streak.

Out of high school Barnes was heralded as the next great player – even championing a nickname, Black Falcon, before taking on with UNC. However, he never quite reached superstar status during his tenure at Chapel Hill. Instead, he proved himself a five-tool player – one that could take (and make the big shot), rebound, beat opponents off the dribble, get out in transition and scrap down low. He turned out more of a star role player than a super-duperstar and the next big thing.

In Golden State he’s found the perfect home. With Klay Thompson and Steph Curry shouldering the scoring load, Barnes is free to play his special brand of basketball: pass when needed, knife through the lane, stretch the defense, and essentially fill all the gaps. Alongside fellow third-year star Draymond Green, Barnes is one half of arguably the best complementary player tandem in the league.

[SB Nation]

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