Damian Lillard is having the best rookie campaign so far. Anthony Davis may very well be the future of the league. Terrence Ross is a highlight moment waiting to happen. Another rookie racking up the highlights is Warriors rookie Harrison Barnes. The former UNC stand out came in to the league with a reputation as a guy who is good at a little bit of everything, sort of in the Luol Deng role. What a lot of people didn't realize is that Barnes might be the best athlete in the draft. That was put on display again Monday night when Barnes made Raptors Center Aaron Gray look really silly with this dunk,
Not bad for a guy who goes by the nickname the Black Falcon. Barnes' throw down is just the latest example of why you don't challenge him at the rim. He's fearless and there's a decent chance he's more athletic than the guy protecting the rim. Exhibit A came early in the season when Barnes recorded what's still the dunk of the year on Timberwolves Center Nikola Pekovic.
This next one flew under the radar a bit because it was against the Milwaukee Bucks, but Ersan Ilyasova, you made the list too, pal.
So if you can use big Europeans (and Aaron Gray) as props, I think we should get Black Falcon in the dunk contest. Barnes can fly. I'm not sure how creative he is but he can get up. Look out for Harrison Barnes, especially if you're white and 6'10" or taller.
