NBA Draft 2012: Harrison Barnes Is a Lucky Break for Golden State Warriors

After a feverish run-up filled with speculation, analysis and trade rumors galore, the 2012 NBA draft has finally come and gone.

With a total of four picks in the draft, the Golden State Warriors had plenty to gain by selecting wisely this year. Of course, they also had a lot to lose—in terms of both opportunity and positive fan sentiment.

So, the Warriors’ brain trust had some serious pressure hanging overhead last night. And sometimes it can be tough to make decisions under pressure.

Deciding between Andre Drummond’s faulty motor and John Henson’s stick-thin frame? That’s hard.

Rolling the dice on Austin Rivers’ bad attitude or Perry Jones III’s balky knee? There’s a lot of pressure there, too.

Good thing the Warriors didn’t have to make a decision when Harrison Barnes fell into their lap at No. 7. Drafting Barnes was a totally pressure-free no-brainer for the Warriors, who probably never imagined he’d be available in that slot.

Looking back at the three most prominent mock drafts, Barnes wasn’t supposed to be there by the time the Warriors selected. His availability at No. 7 defied logic.

Chad Ford had him going third, Draftexpress.com had him fifth and NBADraft.net had him fourth.

But last night, there he was at No. 7—a gift from basketball heaven, good fortune personified.

Now, I’m not saying Barnes is a cure-all. He’s not a lock to be an All-Star, or even start. But for a number of reasons, he’s the perfect pick for the Warriors.

In Barnes, the Warriors addressed their woefully unproductive small forward spot by adding a polished, mature player. The North Carolina product is a smooth scorer with terrific fundamentals and big-program pedigree. He has the potential to be an excellent defender, and most surprisingly, had a knockout combine performance.

Best of all, Barnes is probably as close to a sure thing as there is in the draft (outside of Anthony Davis). He’s got NBA size and skills right now, with a 6’8”, 228-pound frame and a high release on his jumper. And for the Warriors, who have plenty of players who need to develop, they know what they’re getting with Barnes.

Here’s the bottom line: Barnes addresses the Warriors’ specific positional needs with his ability to play the small forward spot right away. But more importantly, he represents something the Warriors haven’t had in a long time: a lucky break.