Here's some interesting #s on Harrison Barnes to share at your next cocktail party to razzle and dazzle your guests:
Barnes best scoring efficiency came in his 3rd and 4th season, his last two with the Warriors before he got the max contract. He was 57% and 56% TS% in those years. He made only 33% and 34% on his 3s, not as accurate as he has since become. He did make 52% and 51% of his two point FGAs however. That team passed the ball with Curry and Klay coming into their own. 61% and 63% of Barnes two point FGs were assisted baskets. So even though he had not become a proficient three point shooter his overall efficiency was pretty good. At the same time he was not getting the free throw line (career low 2.3 and 2.4 FTAs per game) relative to the rate he gets there now. As his body gotten stronger he has almost doubled his FT rate (4.3 and 4.5 FTAs per game last two years) and increased his FT% about 8% from 75% to 83%.
With the Mavs and DSJ pounding the ball and some ball dominant play from Luka, who contrary to popular belief is not a good shot creator yet (assist to TO is less than 2:1; 5.5 APG / 3.2 TOV) , Barnes devolved into more of an iso player with only 37% and 48% of his baskets the last two years assisted. I am not absolving him from accountability for his low FG% on 2s this year solely because the system he played did not share the ball as well. It is likely he missed quality looks with the set-up from a teammate that would resulted in assisted basket. Regardless last year only 37% of his 2 point FGAs were assisted with him making a 48%. This year he has only made 41% of his two point FGs with 48% assisted.
If all these #s are making your headspin this is the bottom line. There is not a direct correlation between % assisted baskets and FG%. In general though the more you shoot the majority of your FGAs through solid floor spacing and quick decisive passes it will positively correlate to your two point FG%. There is an efficient scorer waiting to emerge. If he can maintain his near 40% accuracy from 3, with Buddy having a contagious effect, continue to get to the line 4 FTAs per game and make 80% and shoot the majority of two point FGs off the catch and/or one power dribble vs elaborate high degree of difficulty juke moves, then the % of his assisted two point FGs will return to 60% like his GSW days. His two point FG% can get back near 50%. Then he can be a near 60% TS% exceeding his best days with the Warriors. This is one of the projections that the Kings analytics department likely made before choosing to pursue him.