San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes credits Michael Jordan and others for a lesson in durability
LOS ANGELES – Spurs forward Harrison Barnes did not set out with the goal of playing in 300 consecutive NBA games. It did not just happen by accident, however. “I try to do the things necessary to always make myself available to my teammates,” Barnes said.
“I think that's the highest level of giving that you can do, is always making sure that however much you play, whatever you do in the game, that you just always make yourself available.” The 32-year-old Barnes logged 33 minutes in the Spurs’ 120-109 loss at Portland on Sunday. It was his 300th game in a row, the longest streak of his career and second-longest active in the NBA behind New York’s Mikal Bridges . Barnes was set to extend that streak Tuesday when the Spurs continue their road trip to Los Angeles to face the Clippers. “To think that he didn't have stuff going on at some point physically, mentally, in his own personal world, whatever it may be, and yet he shows up and clocks in for work like that is commendable,” Spurs acting coach Mitch Johnson said. “It’s just invaluable for our guys to see and be around it.” To Barnes, the life of an NBA iron man is part physical and part mental. READ MORE: Spurs' Victor Wembanyama attends Florida-Houston national championship game His approach to availability was shaped by his college days at North Carolina, where tales of Michael Jordan’s dogged preparedness were legendary. Jordan appeared in all 82 games in nine of his 15 NBA seasons, including the final one in 2002-03 spent as a 39-year-old with the Washington Wizards. “Obviously, going to Carolina, you hear a lot of stories about how he trained,” Barnes said. “I think just when you look at great players in their availability, I think that's something that's consistent. Just being on the floor and being available is something I try to pride myself on.” It is an attitude Barnes hope will rub off on his younger teammates. Rookie guard Stephon Castle says it has. “From when I first got here, you could just see that he was the ultimate pro who does everything right, gets there early, takes care of the body,” Castle said. “With those intangibles, it kind of leads to that .” Castle confident in ROY chances Castle, meanwhile, is already mentally clearing space on his mantle for the NBA’s 2024-25 Rookie of the Year trophy. “I feel at this point I pretty much got it locked up,” Castle said. If the 20-year-old Castle wasn’t the hands-down favorite before, a late-season surge has all but wrapped up the award for him. Castle headed to L.A. riding a streak of four consecutive games of at least 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. The most recent two rookies to post such a streak are the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama last season and Dallas’ Luka Doncic in 2018-19 . Castle’s 22 points against the Trail Blazers was his 24th game this season of at least 20. No other rookie in the NBA has more than 10 such outings. “I've always been playing free and trying not to overthink things,” said Castle, the fourth overall pick out of Connecticut. “It is hard as a rookie to not, but right now really just flowing, trying to let the game come to me, trusting my teammates more than anything and getting confidence from their trust in me as well.” Branham showing signs of life Johnson will be the first to admit guard Malaki Branham has the right to be disappointed in how his third NBA season has gone. “He’s had to fight a lot of personal frustration for lack of opportunity,” the Spurs coach said. “It’s totally understandable.” Branham’s string of DNPs eventually resulted in a one-game trip to a G League to get some much-needed playing time in March. Better late than never, Branham is hoping to put together a finishing kick to the campaign that reminds the Spurs why they drafted him in the first round in 2022. Heading into Tuesday, Branham had totaled 30 points on 13-of-29 shooting in his previous two games. “I’m just trying to do little things, just trying to help the team win,” Branham said. “Just trying to add layers to my game and just be valuable in all aspects of the basketball game.” Spurs coaches have been on Branham about improving his defense. The 21-year-old is eager to show staff how far he has come on that end of the floor. “When I played, I felt like I showed improvements of that,” Branham said. “It's kind of tough to show if I haven't been on the court. You just have to stay ready and whenever my number called, I'm going to give everything I got.”
NBA Malaki Branham Clippers Florida-Houston Washington Wizards Trail Blazers Harrison Barnes Stephon Castle Michael Jordan Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Mitch Johnson Luka Doncic ROY North Carolina LOS ANGELES Barnes Los Angeles Portland Mikal Bridges New York Dallas Branham Connecticut Rookie Of The Year Dnps Castle
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