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Barry Snaps Back to Form
By Robert Doyen March 30, 2005
 All season long Brent Barry has played tight, like a rubber band that is pulled to its limit. His year had reached a point at which he could easily have broken under the strain. But instead, with the Spurs in the funk of an injury plagued three-game losing streak and in danger of collapse, he suddenly snapped back and loosened up. Under the most pressure he’s faced all season, he’s playing his best basketball.
Over the course of the last three games he’s averaging 19.0 points per game while shooting 54.5% from the field, 66.7% from three-point range and a perfect 11-11 from the charity stripe.
We may never know why he couldn’t hit on all cylinders earlier in the season like he is now. Has he finally adjusted to the Spurs’ system, or is he merely benefiting from the absence of Tim Duncan and Devin Brown?
The answer to both questions could very well be yes.
With his shot going down now Barry displays a new confidence, expressing the body language of someone who has just discovered the niche he was intended to fill. Whereas earlier in the season Barry passed up on open shots, now he’s shooting from everywhere on the court.
Perhaps the most telling moment of Barry’s return to form came on a shot he missed -- an airball in fact. In the final seconds of his 23-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks he was hot. Every shot was falling until he hoisted a three that missed everything. His defender was right on top of him and the shot was rushed -- but it wasn’t a bad shot. It was a cocky shot that showed he believed anything he threw up would go in the hole. Then, against the Houston Rockets during the Spurs’ game-winning run in the fourth quarter, he shot from three feet behind the three-point line and the ball touched nothing but twine.
That’s the Barry that the Spurs want. Never afraid to shoot and exuding ultimate belief in himself.
“People don’t realize he puts a lot of pressure on himself,” said Bruce Bowen. “It’s just about him continuing to do what he does and understanding that it’s going to be there for him, and we’re going to rally behind him to get things done.”
Unfortunately, there is still a legitimate concern about Barry’s game. With his superstar and his main competition for court time sidelined due to injuries, he has flourished. One must wonder how he will respond when Duncan and Brown return.
The absence of Brown is perhaps a main reason for Barry’s turnaround. He’s finally getting the consistent minutes he needs to acclimate to the Spurs’ system.
“Just having the opportunity to get out and play, you start to feel more comfortable and it‘s been nice to do that,” said Barry recently.
Sometimes Brown brings things to the game that Barry can’t bring. Therefore, it will be very difficult for Barry to play Brown out of the rotation completely. But if Barry maintains this level of play once Brown returns, he should have no problem getting consistent playing time.
When Duncan returns another problem may arise. Barry is playing very well under the current guard oriented lineup. It’s the style of play he’s accustomed to from his years of playing on teams with no dominant big man.
Will the game still fit him once Duncan returns?
If Barry keeps shooting this well for the rest of the season, he could fit in on any team. Hopefully this stretch will give him the confidence to shoot the ball well for the Spurs under any circumstances.
Barry’s former team, the Seattle Supersonics, are in town. Will he show up and play as the man they remember and wish they could have kept, or will he play the way that has disappointed Spurs fans into wondering why they coveted him so much?
For Barry’s and the Spurs’ sake, let’s hope the rubber band has loosened permanently.
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