Harrison Barnes’ ankle injury will cause him to miss a showdown with the Charlotte Hornets
Former North Carolina Tar HeelHarrison Barneshas been the third leading scorer for the Golden State Warriors this season. That effort will have to stop temporarily as Barnes isout for the next three gameswith an ankle injury. Those three games include Wednesday’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets.
Barnes was injured in the Phoenix Suns game, but there were no broken bones in the scans. It is likely that the unbeaten Warriors will not rush Barnes back too fast to action. Right now there is simply no need for it.
The Warriors can plug Barnes’ position with defensive aceAndre Iguodalawhen they use bigger lineups. The small ball lineups that the Warriors thrive in may see more minutes forDraymond Greenor perhaps one of the other forwards that the Warriors have. GuardBrandon Rushreplaced Barnes for the Sacramento Kings game.
The Hornets will be given some reprieve on not having to match up with Barnes. He likely would have been the responsibility ofP.J. HairstonorMarvin Williamsdepending on the kind of lineup that the Warriors would have used. However theAl Jeffersonfor Harrison Barnes injury trade is still a loser for the Hornets.
The Warriors might be a team were the effects of losing Jefferson could be mitigated. The Hornets could experiment with going small themselves. That would mean insertingJeremy Lininto the starting lineup and moving P.J. Hairston to the bench. Jefferson’s spot would be taken by eitherCody ZellerorSpencer Hawes.
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A more extreme example would be moving Williams to center and movingJeremy Lambinto the picture as the small forward. That would move the six eightNicolas Batumto the big forward.
None of these things answer the big question for the Hornets. That is how do you stopStephen Curry? The Hornets could match up Batum on splash brother Blake Thompson, but can Lin orKemba Walkerreally match up with Curry? Or do you shut down the passing lanes around Curry, and force him to beat you by himself? Could he do that?
The Hornets play the Golden State Warriors Wednesday night. Can we sting the streak?
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