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Thursday, December 22, 2011

Player Overview: JJ Barea

     Jose Juan Barea: A player who's playoff antics earned him an oversized contract from the Minnesota Timberwolves hopes to improve the team significantly this year. Brought in to both help mentor rookie Ricky Rubio (try saying that ten times fast) and to help distribute the ball throughout the offense. After spending last season as the quintessential spark plug off the bench for the Dallas Mavericks Barea will look to make a bigger on the young Timberwolves. Despite his high usage rate (23.3) and lack of efficiency (ranks 10 spots below last years starter Luke Ridnour) he is arguably one of the NBA's best pick-and-roll guards. He also give new head coach Rick Adelman the option of playing a 2 PG lineup with Rubio at helms and Barea as his wingman.

     However, Barea's small stature (generously listed at 6'0, 175) and lack of defensive awareness make him a liability on the other side of the ball. While he may have outperformed his competition in the playoffs, during the regular season opposing players would average  +0.9 PER over Jose.

    On a veteran loaded team like Mavericks, the 27 year old Barea was still a relative baby. However, the Timberwolves are the NBA's youngest team, not including the three rookies they added this year, making Barea on the elder statesmen on the team. While he may not be the most efficient players and definitely overpaid, Barea will be able to make a definite impact for this young up-and-coming Timberwolves team.

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