[Old General Record] The Forgotten Puerto Rican Miracle!

Recently, due to a sudden injury, Van Vleet's name once again made headlines. Looking back at the rise of this little man, it began in the 2019 Finals. VanVleet delivered a data sheet with an average of 14 points per game, successfully helping the Raptors to the top, allowing fans around the world to remember this little man who lost the draft.

Before VanVleet, there was a small surprise who played almost the same role as Van Jordan in 2011, becoming the most important factor to be ignored on the finals stage.

Puerto Rico Iverson: JJ Barria.

Baria was born in Puerto Rico and has been picking up basketball since she was 4 years old. When he was young, his dream was very simple, which was to work hard to enter the NBA. In order to pursue this goal, he went to the United States alone in high school to attend Miami Christian School in Florida.

In the senior year of high school, Baria delivered a comprehensive data single with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals per game, leading the team to win 38 wins and 2 losses to win the state championship. It was this excellent report card that allowed him to enter the American basketball field.

After graduating from high school, Baria entered Northeastern University. He scored 17 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists in his freshman season, becoming the first freshman player in school to achieve "400 points + 100 assists" in a single season. He was successfully selected into the AEC All-A-Level 3 Team and the Best Rookie Team.

And in the next three years, the small man had a stable output of 20+ games and was awarded the CAA Best Player in his senior season. After four years of college, he has long been a legend on the school history list and has gradually begun to enter the sight of NBA scouts. In the summer of 2006, Baria announced her participation in the NBA draft. Referring to the scout report at that time, his evaluation of him was very simple: he could break through and shoot, he held the ball steadily, and dared to take responsibility at critical moments. But even so, when one name after another was pronounced at the talent show, Baria never waited for the moment that belonged to him, and in the end he was defeated without surprise.

But fortunately, it was not completely ignored. After the draft, the Warriors and the Mavericks sent an invitation from the Summer United at the same time. Barrea represented Dallas in the Summer United and averaged 12 points and 6.7 assists per game. He impressed the Mavericks' coaching staff with his outstanding performance and won an NBA contract for himself.

In the first two years of entering the league, Baria had limited opportunities. Until the 2008-09 season, with Starkhouse, Josh Howard and others absent due to injury, he finally began to get rotation time and became the most trusted backcourt commander of coach Carlisle.

Time comes in 2011, and the Mavericks have been defeated in the playoffs. Facing defending champion Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals, Barrea became the bench surprise, averaging 11.5 points and 5.5 assists per game.

And the most memorable moment happened in a breakthrough layup in the fourth game. Lakers center Bynum knocked him to the ground with a malicious elbow. The scene was once in chaos, but then Baria quickly stood up and still maintained her tenacity. After the game, Lakers coach Phil Jackson bluntly said:

"Baria's performance is almost comparable to Chris Paul."

Kobe is even more straightforward:

"JJ Baria is so powerful."

against the Heat in the finals, the Mavericks fell 1-2 behind in the first three games. Just when the outside world thought the Heat were taking the initiative, Carlisle decisively changed the formation in the fourth game, allowing Barrea to replace Deshen Stevenson into the starting lineup.

This decision is also a masterpiece. The backcourt combination of Kidd + Barrea gives the Mavericks an extra layer of change in the offense. When Kidd holds the ball, Barria can open up space; when Barria controls, he can also play a smooth pick-and-roll attack with Chandler.

The Mavericks then won three consecutive games and successfully won the championship trophy in Miami. And this little guard who was abandoned at the time has become the most critical part of the championship puzzle.

But unfortunately, after winning the championship, Baria failed to renew the contract with the Mavericks, and he went to the Timberwolves with a four-year, 19 million contract. Although his personal data is still good, the Timberwolves' record is poor, and the conflict between him and his teammate Love also gradually made the locker room atmosphere tense. In the summer of 2014, the Timberwolves chose to give up on him again.

But soon, the Mavericks extended an olive branch to him again, and Barria was able to return to Dallas for six years. Even though he suffered a severe Achilles tendon tear in 2019, he still insisted on making a comeback. Even if his game was not as good as before, he was willing to use his experience to help young players grow.

After Nowitzki retired, the Mavericks' 2011 championship team gradually disbanded.

Persisted until 2020, and Baria eventually left the league and became the last person in that championship team to wave goodbye.