Harrison Barnes Accepts Invite to Play in Rio 2016 Olympics
Harrison Barnes, who is a restricted free agent this summer after playing four seasons with the Golden State Warriors, will be playing for Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical first reported Barnes had made the USA Basketball roster. Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today reported he had accepted the invitation.
USA Basketball has had a rough time finding players who want to take part in this year's Olympics. NBA stars who have already declined to play include LeBron James, Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook.
However, Barnes joins a loaded roster of Kevin Durant, Demar DeRozan, Jimmy Butler, Paul George, Kyle Lowry, Kyrie Irving, DeMarcus Cousins, DeAndre Jordan, Carmelo Anthony, as well as teammates Draymond Green and Klay Thompson as the US looks to win its third-straight Olympic gold.
Barnes being added to the fold does give Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski a valuable all-around player he can bring off the bench.
The former North Carolina star did end this year on a down note, shooting 38.5 percent from the field in the playoffs, but he averaged a career-high 11.7 points per game during the regular season and made two crucial three-pointers against Portland and Oklahoma City in the playoffs.
Barnes is used to playing a smaller role on a great team, as he has done with the Warriors the last two years, but he explained his mindset to David Aldridge of NBA.com about keeping fresh when there aren't a lot of shots to go around with Thompson and Curry being so good with the ball in their hands.
"You just relax and let it fly," Barnes told Aldridge. "There's always going to be an opportunity in late games. Coach (Steve Kerr) has you in there because he has confidence in you that you can make that shot, or make that play. When the ball swung, you don't think -- you shoot it."
That is the perfect way for Barnes to look at his opportunity with Team USA this summer. He's not going to be the first, second or third option on the floor, but there will be a moment when his number gets called to hit a big shot or make a key defensive stop.
Barnes' track record at Golden State is a strong indication that this moment won't be too overwhelming for him. His ability to shoot and play defense is going to make him a favorite of Coach K when play begins in August.
