2011 NBA Mock Draft: Why Harrison Barnes Is Better Than Perry Jones For Clippers

As 2011 NBA mock drafts start to roll out, a consensus starts to be built that Baylor freshman PF/SF Perry Jones is headed for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Before offering an alternate, I do have to say that this wouldn't be such a bad idea. As a player with the size and skill to flex positions, Jones offers a lot of versatility to the Clippers that they could really use. He also runs the floor adeptly and plays well both offensively and defensively.

As the Clippers are currently ranked No. 20 in points allowed and No. 22 in points per game, they really could use the help on both sides of the ball.

I have to offer, though, the option of UNC small forward Harrison Barnes.

He may be four inches shorter than Perry Jones, he is only eight pounds lighter, which makes him a little denser than Jones.

Barnes, like Jones, is a versatile player, and has the ability to do a lot of different things on the court.

He is a very smart player (which really gets to me, since I would prefer basketball intelligence to skill almost any day of the week) and studies hard.

He gets knocked often on account of his streaky shooting and his lack of strength, but strength can be added and the fact that he can shoot is a plus. Consistency will come.

In the end, Harrison Barnes may need a short transition period, but he seems like a better investment for the Clippers, especially since they don't seem to be partial to having a size guy at small forward (Craig Smith is 6'7", 265 lbs.). It would also seem a tad bit ridiculous for them to jump on Perry Jones after drafting Blake Griffin only two years ago.