1971-1972 ABA Stats: 80 GP, 45.2 MPG, 31.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.1 APG, 45.8 FG%, 30.8 3P%, 87.8 FT%
1971-1972 ABA Advanced: 55.0 TS%, 47.7 eFG%, 21.8 PER, 11.1 WS
All-Star Team? Yes
Team: 44-40, lost ABA Finals to Indiana Pacers (4-2)
Though he’s possibly known best for shooting free throws underhanded and being a world-class jerk, Barry was an incredible scorer. Watch old film of Barry play and you see a player with a keen sense of angles, a silky jump shot, and the athleticism to get around most players in his generation. He was known as a chucker who wouldn’t stop shooting, but he shot well and averaged 4.1 assists per game in 80 regular season games. He elevated his game in the playoffs, improving his shooting from outside and leading the Nets on a surprising ABA Finals run.
His numbers will wow you, even for the ABA. He played over 45 (45!) minutes per game in his All-Star season with the Nets, and 18 additional playoff games means he racked up well over 4,000 minutes at the end of the year. That’s an all-time Nets record. Barry also set the Nets franchise record for points per game (31.5), points in a single season (2,518), and free throws (641), records that still stand today.
Next: Julius Erving
