Rookie Impact: Golden State’s Success Hinges on Barnes, Green, and Ezeli

It’s difficult to ask for a rookie to help carry an NBA team in the postseason. Yet instead of just one rookie, Golden State will need the help of three.

The Warriors' rookies played big the other night; now it's time for them to take over (www.nba.com)

The Warriors’ rookies played big the other night; now it’s time for them to take over (www.nba.com)

Harrison Barnes, the 7th overall draft pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, along with Draymond Green (35th overall) and Festus Ezeli (30th overall) will be expected to contribute beyond their years if the Warriors hope to advance past their Conference Semifinal matchup with the well experienced San Antonio Spurs.

Aside from the Zen-like sorcery-type comeback that the Spurs pulled off in Game 1 (where they came back from a double-digit deficit to win 129-127 in double overtime), the rookies seem more than up for the task at hand.

Barnes finished Game 1 with an impressive Continue reading