UNC's Harrison Barnes: Greatness Without The "Stats"

We could all learn something from Harrison Barnes.

Twenty-seven games into his freshman year, ESPN’s No. 1 overall rated high school recruit from a year ago, the first freshman to achieve a spot on the preseason All-America team, expected to return Carolina basketball to its familiar place among the nation's elite, is averaging just over 13 points and 5 rebounds per game with an all-but-consistent 40 percent field goal percentage.

Say, what?

Although Barnes is as humble and grounded as they come, not so much can be said about college basketball enthusiasts, especially UNC fans who wanted nothing more than a reason to dismiss any remnants of the 20-17 record hoisted a season before.

For many of them, that reason was Harrison Barnes.

"I think he's just scratching the surface of what he can do," Coach Roy Williams said in a late January ACC teleconference. "...But he does have to let go sometimes and realize how athletic he is, how quick he is, how big he is and he can do more things other than just scoring the basketball."

Ever since Barnes signed with UNC, he's heard nothing but how great he is.  How he's the guy who "does everything really well," as Jay Bilas once put it.  However, so far, many don't consider Barnes great.  In fact, some would even consider him a flop. 

I couldn’t disagree more.

Greatness isn't simply defined by stuffing the stat sheet, breathtaking quickness, high-flying acrobats that defy the laws of physics, or flashy, captivating styles of play, as most of us presume it to be.  By those standards, is Harrison Barnes great?  No.  But, I will tell you how he is.

Barnes leads by example; Coach Roy Williams said he's never seen a player more focused coming into his freshman season than Barnes.  No, not even Tyler Hansbrough.  That's great.

When a loose ball hits the floor, so does Barnes.  Even if there is no chance of getting it, he still believes he can, which challenges his teammates to compete with that same level of intensity.  That's great.

When the games against Virginia Tech and Miami came down to the wire and yearned for a hero, Barnes assumed that role, taking and making clutch shots that his teammates trusted him to make.  Sound similar to another UNC legend?  That's great.

When Barnes achieved his then-career-high in points against rival N.C. State and audiences, like me, got chills as the Tar Heels (on the court and bench) stood, applauding Barnes’ effort because they know how hard he works, that's great, too.

As you can see, there are many facets of greatness in basketball.  Facets, as Williams pointed out, "other than just scoring the basketball." 

We expect most of that greatness to be found in fascinating scoring displays, sheer dominance, and highlight-reel abilities. 

And when touted players don't fit that mold, we seemingly dismiss their greatness.  But perhaps it’s us, the fans, who are wrongly defining greatness.

Those aforementioned things, they’re entertaining, inspiring, thrilling, sometimes even comical, but, they don't make you great. 

Character and passion, intertwined between your talent, is what makes you great.  You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don't have either of those, you won't take your team very far. 

Last year at this time, UNC was 15-13.  Currently, they are 22-6.  Barnes' numbers may not speak for much, but his leadership does.

That's what we could all learn from Harrison Barnes.