Why Harrison Barnes Makes for Suitable Spurs Leader

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Lance Roberson | Last updated Feb 24, 2025 5:55 PM ET

Harrison Barnes is the lone NBA champion on the San Antonio Spurs. Despite the lack of individual NBA accolades, Barnes has the experience that younger players should heed. Even the legendary point guard Chris Paul can't claim such a feat. Given the significant individual and ultimate team success, Barnes and Paul have ample knowledge and experience necessary to lead younger players.

In an interview with Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson, Barnes revealed his relationship with Paul and the younger Spurs players.

With his 13-year NBA experience, Barnes can teach the inexperienced Spurs a thing or two about maintaining a roster spot, earning a max contract in free agency, and, more importantly, winning at the highest level in the league.

Barnes spoke of the complications of playing the veteran leader role with the Sacramento Kings.

“You know, it’s funny. I don’t know how I was a young guy, I always thought that I was super young and super receptive and listening,” Barnes reflects. “But we had a lot of different transitions in Sacramento, so I had a lot of different young guys, you know? Some guys listen, and some guys don’t.”

Ironically, one of the young players on the Kings during Barnes' 399-game tenure was De'Aaron Fox.

Following the Spurs' trading for Barnes, Fox posted a heartfelt message on social media, followed by six pictures.

“6 years together,” Fox said. “Appreciate you through it all, San Antonio’s getting a good one.”

Barnes and Fox reunite on the Spurs as a bridge between a young star and the championship-experienced veteran.

It seems Fox was one of the young players who listened to Barnes.

When Robinson asked Barnes what playing with Paul was like, the former Golden State Warriors wing praised the future Hall of Fame point guard.

“Our relationship is unbelievable,” Barnes says. “It’s great to have Chris around, sharing his knowledge with the younger guys and really investing in them.”

While Gregg Popovich remains away from the sidelines as he recovers from a stroke, Barnes and Paul are the necessary veterans to motivate the Spurs role players to improve on the margin, especially as Victor Wembanyama will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season with a blood clot.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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