Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Struggles of Barnes, Thompson hurting Warriors
Share This Post
Comments
Friday, December 20, 2013 - 8:00pm
Follow @MontePooleCSN

OAKLAND – They're subject to stunning lapses on defense. They're treating the ball as if it has a contagious disease. And, maddeningly for the Warriors, they're getting open shots and missing them.

Meet, once again, Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes. Remember them? The team's last two lottery picks?

[RELATED: Game film shows Warriors have 'long ways to go']

The two talented young wings that used last postseason to flash their All-Star potential are struggling and it's hurting the Warriors. Their shot goes missing, their concentration wavers and their games shrink.

Thompson and Barnes have in recent games disappeared into an abyss of futility that neither can deny.

"I’d be lying if I said it wasn't frustrating,'' Thompson said after practice Friday. "I hate when I play bad. I hate when I miss shots.''

There has been a lot more of that than normal. Thompson early this season was among the league's scoring leaders, draining 3-pointers at an astonishing rate. Since those opening weeks, his numbers have steadily declined. He's averaging 16 points over his last six games and, moreover, is shooting 41 percent for the month.

"I know I'm a great shooter,'' he said. "I 'm just going to keep working, keep getting my reps up – get a few more than I usually do – and visualize that ball going through the rim.''

While Thompson has spent the past couple weeks thrashing about in search of his game, Barnes bottomed out in Thursday's 104-102 loss to a Spurs squad without stars Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

He took three shots, missing them all. In 19 ineffective minutes, Barnes accumulated more turnovers (three) than points (0), rebounds (one) and assists (one) combined.

"I just couldn't get into a rhythm,'' Barnes said. "The only person I can blame for that is myself.''

Barnes has dipped noticeably, certainly on offense, since his season-high 26-point game on Nov. 29 at Oklahoma City. He's averaging 11.6 points per game over his last eight, shooting only 29 percent from 3-point distance.

"I'm getting good looks,'' he said. "I get close touches, I get (isolations) and I get wide-open threes. I just have to knock down the shot. It's all upstairs.

"It's something that you lose a little bit of sleep over. But it's something that your confidence can change. It's all things that I can control. I just have to be better.''

Though the struggles of both players clearly have a negative effect, they tend to react differently. Barnes is prone to losing some confidence, while Thompson loses focus, hurting his defense.

"I know shots won't fall every night,'' Thompson said. "I know you're going to have rough stretches. But that should never affect how you're going to play the rest of the game. And that's what I've been doing these last few games.''

[RELATED: Self-inflicted 'inexcusable loss' for Warriors vs. Spurs]

The most damaging aspect of their missing shots is that it puts even more of a scoring load on point guard Stephen Curry. Curry is facing defenses coached to contain him, especially at the 3-point line. It has reached a point that players assigned to Thompson or Barnes often rotate toward Curry.

That's not necessarily a bad thing for the Warriors – unless Thompson and Barnes are missing the open jumpers set up by Curry's passing.

That's precisely what is happening, and the Warriors are paying a steep price.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Owens: 'Candlestick is where it began for me'
Davis: 'Guys didn't want to lose'
Whitner: 'This game felt like NFC Championship from last year'
Bowman: 'That's my best play yet'

Giants

White Sox claim Surkamp off waivers from Giants
Giants agree to send Pill to Korean team
Check out the scooter-riding bobble
Giants DFA Surkamp, officially add Morse, Vogelsong
Read More

Athletics

Report: Yankees showing interest in Balfour
A's respond to report about Coliseum developer meeting
Report: A's to meet about new Coliseum deal
Report: Choo agrees to seven-year deal with Rangers
Read More

Sharks

Instant Replay: Sharks blow lead, strike back, win in SO
Wilson disappointed with Kings' reaction to Hertl hit
Hertl to undergo surgery on injured knee
Avs' Roy, Sharks' Vlasic have mutual admiration
Read More

49ers

Candlestick: Where anything could happen and often did
Instant Replay: 49ers survive, punch playoff ticket in 'Stick finale
49ers inactives: Iupati returns, Manningham out
Jason Garrett: Romo not ruled out for showdown with Eagles
Read More

Raiders

Pryor's agent believes Allen wants his client to fail vs. Denver
Von Miller out for season with torn ACL
Allen announces Pryor to start vs. Denver
Rewind: Raiders can't find solutions vs. Chargers
Read More

Warriors

Instant Replay: Lee leads Warriors to big road win over Nuggets
Rodman leaves North Korea without word if he met leader
Iguodala returns to Denver in playoff rematch
Love's 45 and 19 not enough for Wolves vs. Clippers
Read More

NCAA

USF holds off American
Saint Mary’s falls to South Carolina in Hawaii
Cal can't overcome slow start in loss to Creighton
Stauskas leads Michigan to win over Stanford
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

White Sox claim Surkamp off waivers from Giants
(3)
Associated Press

More Stories

Giants agree to send Pill to Korean team
(14)
Check out the scooter-riding bobble
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Duane Kuiper gets sandwich named after him
Duane Kuiper gets sandwich named after him
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Giants DFA Surkamp, officially add Morse, Vogelsong
Giants poised to sell Brett Pill's rights to Korean club

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Report: Yankees showing interest in Balfour
(8)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

A's respond to report about Coliseum developer meeting
Report: A's to meet about new Coliseum deal
See more >

A's VIDEO

Report: Lacob, Guber interested in purchasing A's
Report: Lacob, Guber interested in purchasing A's
See more >

A's TALK

Report: Choo agrees to seven-year deal with Rangers
Balfour may file grievance against Orioles
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

Instant Replay: Sharks blow lead, strike back, win in SO
(1)
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

Wilson disappointed with Kings' reaction to Hertl hit
(1)
Hertl to undergo surgery on injured knee
(5)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

In the Crease: Couture's struggles continue
In the Crease: Couture's struggles continue
See more >

Features

Avs' Roy, Sharks' Vlasic have mutual admiration
Sharks' coach McLellan has a sit-down with Couture

SHARKS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Instant Replay: Lee leads Warriors to big road win over Nuggets
(2)
Monte Poole

More Stories

Rodman leaves North Korea without word if he met leader
Iguodala returns to Denver in playoff rematch
(27)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Jackson: Defense can win ballgames for us
Jackson: Defense can win ballgames for us
See more >

Features

Love's 45 and 19 not enough for Wolves vs. Clippers
Warriors Rewind: Valuable lesson learned in win

MONTE POOLE

  • Instant Replay: Lee leads Warriors to big road win over Nuggets
  • Iguodala returns to Denver in playoff rematch
  • Warriors Rewind: Valuable lesson learned in win

  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Tyreke Evans scores 25 to lead Pelicans over Kings
Associated Press

More Stories

Thomas, Gay each score 23 as Kings beat Magic
(2)
Magic get leading scorer Afflalo back vs. Kings
(1)
See more >

Watch

Highlights: Kings pull out 105-100 win over Magic
Highlights: Kings pull out 105-100 win over Magic
See more >

Features

LeBron, Heat overwhelm Cousins, Kings 122-103
Jordan, Clippers spoil Anthony Davis' return

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

Candlestick: Where anything could happen and often did
Ray Ratto

More Stories

Instant Replay: 49ers survive, punch playoff ticket in 'Stick finale
(49)
49ers inactives: Iupati returns, Manningham out
(3)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Owens: 'Candlestick is where it began for me'
Owens: 'Candlestick is where it began for me'
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Rewind: 49ers handle business with 33-14 thumping of Bucs
(26)
Matt Maiocco

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Pryor's agent believes Allen wants his client to fail vs. Denver
(28)
Scott Bair

More Stories

Von Miller out for season with torn ACL
Allen announces Pryor to start vs. Denver
(65)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

Three and Out: Pryor to start; Allen on shaky ground
Three and Out: Pryor to start; Allen on shaky ground
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Rewind: Raiders can't find solutions vs. Chargers
(11)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Who got off easy in the World Cup draw?
Associated Press

More Stories

US to play Ghana, Portugal, Germany at World Cup
World Cup stadium in Brazil partially collapses
See more >

Watch

Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Giants DFA Surkamp, officially add Morse, Vogelsong
(7)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Instant Replay: Lee leads Warriors to big road win over Nuggets
(2)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Instant Replay: 49ers survive, punch playoff ticket in 'Stick finale
(49)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Pryor's agent believes Allen wants his client to fail vs. Denver
(28)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Instant Replay: Sharks blow lead, strike back, win in SO
(1)
See more >

CASEY PRATT

RAY RATTO

Candlestick: Where anything could happen and often did

TOP STORIES

  • Instant Replay: Lee leads Warriors to big road win over Nuggets
  • Rodman leaves North Korea without word if he met leader
  • Iguodala returns to Denver in playoff rematch

AFF

Enter here for the chance to win a pair of tickets to Authentic Fan Friday!

FOLLOW @CSNAUTHENTIC

@CSNAuthentic on Twitter

Facebook.com/CSNBayArea

CSN on Instagram

TEXT ALERTS

Be the first to know. Sign up for breaking news text alerts!

NCAA

Stauskas leads Michigan to win over Stanford
USC routs No. 21 Fresno St 45-20 in Las Vegas Bowl

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Owens: 'Candlestick is where it began for me'
Owens: 'Candlestick is where it began for me'
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo! SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers Insider
  • Scott Bair - Raiders Insider
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks Insider
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California