Just Imagine If Miami Heat Had Harrison Barnes In 2006 and 2013 NBA Finals

Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes missed a potential winning shot against the Golden State Warriors Monday night, tying the series at 2.

Barnes, a former Warriors players, was slammed on social media for taking a bad shot. There was plenty time of the shot-clock and the Kings feature De'Aaron, the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year.

So many didn't expect to have the final shot.

“HARRISON BARNES FOR THE WIN!!!”
https://t.co/00suF9pm7g
— Jeffery Perkins (@JefferyxBball) April 23, 2023

They left Harrison Barnes open to remind him why he not on that team no more
— BASED SAVAGE (@crackcobain__) April 23, 2023

Thankfully, Barnes wasn’t on the Miami Heat during their championship days that were headlined for their clutch playoff shots in the most crucial moments.

In the 2006 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, Gary Payton had the go-ahead bucket in Game 3 with less than 10 seconds left. Payton had zero points the entire game but was able to shine when the light was brightest. The Heat staved off elimination after going down 2-0, sweeping the remaining four games and earn their first championship.

Maybe Barnes could’ve also learned from Ray Allen, who made arguably the most clutch shot in NBA history during Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals. Allen’s 3-pointer against the San Antonio Spurs forced overtime, which eventually led to the Heat collecting their second consecutive championship in three years.

Allen was 0 for 2 from downtown the entire game, scoring just two points until the big moment. He also scored four of the Heat’s eight overtime points, which is overshadowed by his clutch shot.

Dwyane Wade had his own moment as a rookie in Game 1 against the Charlotte Hornets in 2004. His buzzer-beater gave Miami the victory to cap off a 21-point performance.

Barnes missed on his chance but he isn’t worried about it going forward.

“I don’t think one shot is going to necessarily faze you,” Barnes said.

Sacramento hosts a crucial Game 5 against the Warriors Wednesday night.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.