The Spurs' title dreams will live and die with Harrison Barnes

The Spurs are the hottest team in basketball right now. They have rallied for six straight victories and have solidified their standing as the second seed in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Harrison Barnes has been performing exceptionally well lately. Coincidence? I think not.

Over the last 30 days, Harrison Barnes has returned the production that we expect out of him. The normally excellent three-point shooter was having trouble finding anything before this recent hot streak. Consequently, the Spurs' offense faltered, prompting fans to demand his removal from the starting lineup. However, it appears that he heard the chatter.

Harrison Barnes is back to looking like a true sniper

Around the midway point in December, Harrison Barnes went ice-cold. Following his blazing start to the 2025-26 season, the usual bucket getter was brutally struggling to knock down shots. Even worse, he was likely ruminating on his difficulties and shooting far less. But then, when things started to get ugly, the strong-headed veteran found his way out of it.

Recently, the trusted-upon scorer has found the light at the end of the tunnel. Over his past 7 games, Barnes has made three or more deep balls four times and is shooting at an excellent clip. When the Spurs' playmakers have needed him to step up and bring the rhythm back into the offense, the veteran has been there.

Surprise, surprise, this uptick in scoring has coincided with a six-game winning streak. It is becoming abundantly clear that Harrison Barnes is extremely valuable to this team. But just how far can this go?

The Spurs need Harrison Barnes to make shots to live their championship dreams

If I haven't made it clear enough, I'll say it again: the Spurs need Harrison Barnes. This is not sugarcoated or embellished; it is simply the truth. Most consequentially, San Antonio will be relying upon the hot-and-cold shooter during the playoffs. If he is letting fly, the Silver and Black will find success; if not, they may die an ugly death.

As the Spurs often rely so heavily on the drive-and-kick game, Barnes is the one who is supposed to be there to finish plays. When De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, or Dylan Harper needs someone to capitalize on their drives, it is up to HB to make the shot.

When Harrison Barnes is firing from deep, he creates a massive advantage for the offense. Suddenly, the defense will fear the threat of the sniper out wide, thus creating a whole lot more room for the rest of the Spurs to dominate. Conversely, if the opposing squad doesn't fear him, they can double up on the attacking man inside. This creates a whole lot of issues.

Harrison Barnes is more than just a three-and-D maestro; it is his presence on the basketball court that makes all the difference. He often fuels the Spurs' offense by making shots, just like Keldon Johnson does off the bench. When players and fans see HB on fire, they get some of that passion in their gut.

As the playoffs approach, closely monitor Harrison Barnes' performance. Keep close attention on his success or failure, and that will be a massive indicator of whether or not the Spurs will succeed. It's a harsh truth and a difficult pill to swallow, but it is a reality we must accept and live with.