Last Updated on July 28, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Jim Barnett was a versatile NBA guard and small forward whose scoring ability, perimeter shooting, and basketball IQ made him a productive contributor for the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, and New York Knicks during the late 1960s and 1970s. A polished offensive wing, Barnett excelled as a secondary scorer, floor spacer, and dependable veteran who fit seamlessly into structured half-court offenses.

Here is detailed information about Jim Barnett, a former NBA player and current broadcaster:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: James Franklin Barnett
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on July 7, 1944
  • Hometown: Greenville, South Carolina, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm)
  • Weight: 170 pounds (77 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 5 inches
  • Shoe Size: 6 feet 3 inches
  • Number: Wore jersey numbers 11, 15, 20, and 33
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
  • High School: Ramona High School in Riverside, California
  • College: University of Oregon (1962–1966)
  • NBA Draft: Selected in the 1st round (8th overall pick) in the 1966 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics
  • Teams Played For:
    • Boston Celtics (1966–1967)
    • San Diego Rockets (1967–1970)
    • Portland Trail Blazers (1970–1971)
    • Golden State Warriors (1971–1974)
    • New Orleans Jazz (1974–1975)
    • New York Knicks (1975–1976)
    • Philadelphia 76ers (1976–1977)
  • Championship Rings: None in the NBA
  • Kids: Not publicly available
  • Siblings: Not publicly available

Player Archetype / Play Style

Jim Barnett’s player archetype was that of a scoring wing and secondary playmaking guard, a feisty perimeter player who could handle the ball, create shots, and give teams steady offensive production without needing to dominate possessions. Offensively, he functioned as a combo guard-slash-small forward who could score from the backcourt or wing, move the ball, and chip in as a facilitator, while defensively he was trusted enough to take difficult backcourt assignments, with the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame noting that one of his most praised strengths was guarding the opponent’s top scoring threat in the backcourt. Physically, Barnett had solid size for a guard at 6-foot-4 and 170 pounds, and his style leaned more toward competitiveness, skill, and versatility than overwhelming power. Overall, his play style blended shot creation, perimeter scoring, passing feel, and hard-nosed defensive effort, making him the kind of multi-role wing guard who could fill several functions across an offense. (NBA)

Scouting Report

Jim Barnett always struck me as the kind of wing who understood how to keep an offence connected without demanding that it revolve around him. He could certainly create his own shot, but what made him difficult to defend was how naturally he flowed between roles. One possession he’d be handling a pick-and-roll, probing until the big committed before slipping a pass to a cutter, and the next he’d be relocating off a teammate’s drive, ready to catch and shoot without needing extra dribbles to get comfortable. The first thing you notice is his footwork. He rarely rushed into contested attempts, using pivots, hesitations and subtle changes of pace to manufacture cleaner looks than his athletic profile alone suggested. Defensively, Barnett competed with positioning more than overwhelming physical tools. He anticipated actions well, slid into driving lanes before they fully opened and was disciplined enough to stay attached through off-ball screens instead of ball-watching. The trade-off came against bigger, stronger wings who could simply overpower him or explosive guards who forced him into recovery situations where his lack of elite burst became more apparent. That’s why I never viewed him as a player who should be carrying an offence for long stretches. His value increased beside an assertive primary creator because Barnett instinctively recognised when to cut, when to space the floor and when to attack a rotating defence instead of forcing difficult isolation possessions. It’s easy to overlook how often he made the simple read one pass ahead, keeping the ball moving until a better opportunity emerged rather than settling for the first decent look. His game shares similarities with Jeff Hornacek in the way he balanced scoring with connective play, while there are shades of Brent Barry in his willingness to blend secondary ball-handling, movement shooting and intelligent off-ball decisions without dominating possessions.

Fun Facts

  • Jim Barnett became a television analyst for the Golden State Warriors after his NBA career ended.
  • Barnett has been a prominent voice for Warriors basketball for over four decades.

Sources:

NBA.com — Jim Barnett | Guard | Golden State Warriors
Oregon Sports Hall of Fame — JIM BARNETT
Sporting News — The Baseline: Story time with (not really) retiring Warriors broadcaster Jim Barnett