This is now two good games in a row for Harrison Barnes. A momentous occurrence like this undoubtedly raises questions in your mind: has he “figured it out?” Has he “put it all together”? Has he “connected the dots?” Has he “turned the corner?”
I don’t want to say “yes”, because if I do and then he scores five points on 2-of-7 shooting next game, I’ll look stupid. Instead I will offer a vague and unprovable declaration that looks like it says something while, in reality, it says nothing: Harrison Barnes could be the X-factor for the Warriors in the playoffs.
Notice my use of the word “could”. I used that word because I don’t want to make a prediction, but I want everybody to think I made a prediction so that when I’m right, I can point to the non-prediction I made and everybody will see what a genius I am. If Barnes turns out to be a chronic bed-wetter in the playoffs, well, I was just saying he “could” have been the missing ingredient.
I think I have this NBA journalism stuff down pretty well.