Rick Barry was a dominant scoring threat throughout his career, earning 8 All-Star honors and leading the Golden State Warriors to the NBA title in 1975.
People say the ABA was more modern, wide open and "blacker." Yet Barry went from the NBA to the ABA and never missed a beat. Then he went back to the NBA, reinvented himself and won a title without the 3-point shot. You have to possess a lot of skills to make all those changes and remain a top player.
Rick Barry was great from day 1. His 67 season was legendary and the very reason the ABA wanted him so badly. He was marketable as long as he didn’t say too much lol. He was better than Jerry West at 22 years old.
When Barry first came into the NBA, he was more of a slasher and driver even if he had a nice outside shot and he was so effective at getting to the basket. After his nasty knee injury in the ABA, Barry adapted his game and became more of a jump shooter although he could still drive to the basket well. When Rick returned to the NBA, I thought he was a better all-around player - he was a great scorer from all levels, he was a master penetrator and playmaker, and Barry was getting 3 steals a game. Rick Barry is one of the top small forwards ever and is as good a scorer and passer as any SF ever. 👏💪🔥
@@reedermh I heard when Shaq was playing, Barry offered to work with him on FT's. Suppodedly Shaq said "I'd rather shoot zero %, than shoot like that."
@@Amick44 Barry taught a 6'11" teammate named George Johnson who was basically a Shaq level free shooter, and Johnson became a 70% shooter from the stripe.
Barry had the ability to elevate those around him, which can't be said of all elite players. He played with very few All-Star-caliber types, but his teams were largely successful just the same. Everywhere he went, his teams were championship contenders. The guy was a winner.
I need a sf roundtable talk with barry,bird,dr j, lebron Dominique,pippen about the evolution of the position along with their own bantering. Would've been better if Elgin & havlicek was alive
Everyone talks about Bird, but Barry was great. Good genes....his sons made the Association as well.
Rick Barry’s dad was pretty good. Rick Barry’s ex-wife was a water showgirl performer who beat him in one-on-one.
@@davanmani556 absolutely true. I don’t think many people know that. Huge Rick Barry fan myself
People say the ABA was more modern, wide open and "blacker." Yet Barry went from the NBA to the ABA and never missed a beat. Then he went back to the NBA, reinvented himself and won a title without the 3-point shot. You have to possess a lot of skills to make all those changes and remain a top player.
Rick Barry was great from day 1. His 67 season was legendary and the very reason the ABA wanted him so badly. He was marketable as long as he didn’t say too much lol. He was better than Jerry West at 22 years old.
He's a top 25 player alltime
When Barry first came into the NBA, he was more of a slasher and driver even if he had a nice outside shot and he was so effective at getting to the basket. After his nasty knee injury in the ABA, Barry adapted his game and became more of a jump shooter although he could still drive to the basket well. When Rick returned to the NBA, I thought he was a better all-around player - he was a great scorer from all levels, he was a master penetrator and playmaker, and Barry was getting 3 steals a game. Rick Barry is one of the top small forwards ever and is as good a scorer and passer as any SF ever. 👏💪🔥
Great analysis about Barry, as usual.
@@trapezemusic 🙏🏻
Barry was the only player to EVER lead the league in scoring in not one league but three...NCAA, ABA and NBA
Mikan as well
@@matsalvatore9074Mikan was ABA's first commissioner. He retired way before it started.
@Amick44 he led 3 leagues in scoring tho
Rick Barry was GREAT! And very underrated!
He was essentially a 90% free throw shooter and shot underhanded. Looked strange but was effective!
He led the league 6x in FT%.
And mid career on, often among the tops in assists and steals in addition to his scoring.
Even now he's still top 5 all time FT%. The underhanded "granny" shot may look weird, but more players should put pride aside and try it.
@@reedermh I heard when Shaq was playing, Barry offered to work with him on FT's. Suppodedly Shaq said "I'd rather shoot zero %, than shoot like that."
@@Amick44 Barry taught a 6'11" teammate named George Johnson who was basically a Shaq level free shooter, and Johnson became a 70% shooter from the stripe.
@@Amick44 If Wilt gave it a try, Shaq should have given it a try.
Barry had the ability to elevate those around him, which can't be said of all elite players. He played with very few All-Star-caliber types, but his teams were largely successful just the same. Everywhere he went, his teams were championship contenders. The guy was a winner.
He was fantastic. He never took games off for "load management". Nobody could stop him. Greatness.
He and Bob McAdoo had the sweetest jump shots ever. Maybe George Trapp and Reggie Miller too.
He had a nice hook shot as well.
He and McAdoo also had that jab step to back defenders off and give themselves a tad more room to shoot or drive.
Barry was very good
Great video about one of the all-time great players.
And his son Brent had a very good career as well
I need a sf roundtable talk with barry,bird,dr j, lebron Dominique,pippen about the evolution of the position along with their own bantering. Would've been better if Elgin & havlicek was alive
That would be amazing. The best of the best at the position!
Under position free throw was the best part of rick barry..
Same as Sakuragi in anime Slamdunk! 😊😊
Rick Barry’s game was similar to Larry Bird although Bird was a better rebounder and also had a few more assists.
Rick Barry was a great player who always had a bad hair day. In other words, he wasn't Pete Maravich (RIP his hair and socks).