31 points on 10-15 shooting (5 of 8 from beyond the arc); 6 for 6 from the line; 6 boards; 10 assists; & only 1 foul. Now that's what I call a complete game. Most people would be surprised to discover that Barry is the 3rd leading scorer on this team behind Payton & Lewis, even though he's only the 4th or 5th option. With Vin healthy, that probably won't last long. But Brent's biggest asset to the team is not his scoring. It's his all around game as evidenced by the above box score line. Sometimes when he's off, bombing away from the three point line & finding nothing but rim, the temptation is to get down on him. But Bones always has something else to offer when his shot isn't on.

I've called him a poor man's Detlef Schrempf, a description which has been misunderstood by some. The comparison is valid because they both do so many things. Neither one is what you'd call a pure athlete capable of the spectacular high wire act of a Kemp or Mason. But they're both smart, see the court well, & are extremely knowledgeable of the game of basketball. Brent gets off the ground a little better than Detlef; the latter perhaps played more under control (only Gary has more turnovers). But it's the intangibles of their games which make them so valuable. Barry's not the kind of guy to take over a game like Payton or even Baker. Sure he can get hot & knock down consecutive threes, or complete the fast break with a spectacular dunk making you wonder some times how he doesn't injure himself more often doing same.

But his real value to the team is doing the little things, the less glamorous things that you don't read about in the game recap or the box score. He's one of those guys who's truthfully described as like having another coach on the floor. We have so many offensive minded "gunners" (if I can be permitted the use of the term) on this team, it's nice to have someone so selfless (& talented) that he can find ways to help the team w/o getting in the way of, or literally stepping on the toes of our big "guns". In addition to understanding the spacing required to make the offensive game work (& directing others who don't seem to quite get it), he hustles on defense, rotates well on double teams, & manages to slip in amongst the trees for a more than reasonable # of rebounds for a guard. He's just a real solid all around player & a good guy with a great sense of humor; the kind of asset that every team should be happy to have.

I hate to use the term "player's player", but to me that's what Barry is. He's the kind of guy that doesn't get much attention from the fans & the media except on the unusual night like last night when he goes off and has a near perfect game. Many fans want to be entertained & they're always going to be so much more impressed with Shawn Kemp & Desmond Mason dunks, that they'll be forgiving of their lapses. But give me a guy like Brent that comes to play every night even if you don't notice him until he has one of his rare spectacular games. The players notice him even if you don't. Why? Because he's the epitome of the blue collar worker. He quietly goes about his game doing all the little things that need to be done for the team to win. That's why Brent Barry is a winner -- even when you don't notice him.

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