Rick Barry : The Explosive Genius and the Impossible Free Throw

Published on January 17, 2026 6 min. reading

Rick Barry was not a discreet player. He was a relentless scorer, a fierce competitor, and a controversial figure (not particularly liked by his teammates, who described him as arrogant and selfish). His career was synonymous with offensive domination, built on surgical efficiency and raw talent. Barry bridged two leagues (the NBA and ABA), leaving behind a legacy of incredible statistics. He is one of the few players to have dictated the game in two separate organisations. For him, aesthetics always took a back seat to efficiency, a philosophy illustrated by his signature shot: the spoon free throw. A scorer who went straight for the goal.

Career recap : The journey of a prolific scorer

Barry was drafted by the San Francisco Warriors in 1965. The impact was immediate and brutal. He wasn’t there to learn, he was there to dominate. In his rookie season, he averaged 25.7 points and 10.6 rebounds. He was named Rookie of the Year.

The emergence of the Franchise Player (1965–1967)

His progress immediately made him the undisputed franchise player. In 1967, only his second season, Barry broke all records. He finished as the NBA’s top scorer with a stratospheric average of 35.6 points per game. It was a performance that few forwards have ever matched. He led the Warriors to the NBA Finals, where they lost to Wilt Chamberlain’s Philadelphia 76ers. Barry was an All-Star and a member of the All-NBA First Team. He had already proven himself to be on par with the greatest players.

The controversial leap and ABA domination (1967–1972)

Barry’s story took a legal and sporting turn. Frustrated by the conditions and management of the Warriors, he decided to take the plunge. He joined the ABA and the Oakland Oaks (a team his father briefly managed). It was a rare, controversial decision that shocked the league.

His game, however, did not suffer from the transition. In 1968-1969, he led the Oaks to the ABA championship title. His dominance was total: he averaged 34.0 points that season. During his four seasons in the ABA, Barry was named an ABA All-Star four times and dominated the league with his aggressive scoring and accuracy. He proved that his talent was transcendent, regardless of the environment. A contractual dispute with the Warriors forced him to remain in the ABA until 1972.

Return to the NBA and recognition (1972–1975)

Barry returned to the Golden State Warriors (the franchise’s new name) in 1972. The team was rebuilding. Barry was now a more mature player with a keen vision of the game. He continued to score, but his ability to distribute the ball increased.

The crowning glory came in 1975. The Warriors were not favourites by any means. They entered the playoffs with a team considered to be average. But Barry carried the team on his shoulders. They eliminated Seattle, then Chicago, before sweeping the Washington Bullets 4-0 in the NBA Finals.

Barry was phenomenal, averaging 29.5 points, 5.0 assists and 3.5 steals in the Finals. His efficiency was at its peak. He was logically named MVP of the NBA Finals. It was the pinnacle of his career: proof that his leadership and scoring could lead a team to the championship.

The Final Years and Legacy (1976–1980)

After winning the title, Barry continued to perform at a high level. He remained one of the best players in the league, with his assist averages steadily increasing (reaching 6.2 in 1977–78). He ended his career with the Houston Rockets. When he retired in 1980, he left behind a legacy as one of the most prolific forwards basketball has ever seen.

Playing style : Raw efficiency and single shot

Rick Barry’s game can be summed up in one word: efficiency. He played small forward (SF), but had a complete offensive arsenal. On the court, he was constantly on the move.

Barry wasn’t looking for highlights. He was looking for the best possible shot. He was a master of the mid-range jump shot, shooting with deadly accuracy whenever he had an inch of space. His intelligence on the court meant he always knew where to position himself to receive the pass or initiate the move.

His style was aggressive, constantly aiming to draw fouls. But what defined his style was the free throw. Barry used the underhand free throw. A move mocked by some, but one of unrivalled effectiveness. His career average of 90.0% from the free throw line speaks for itself. He proved that the best technique is the one that gets the ball in the basket. A surgical scorer, he refused to sacrifice efficiency for aesthetics.

Why he made his mark on the NBA : The transcendent scorer

Rick Barry is a legend for several factual and historical reasons.

Firstly, his league history. He is the only player in professional basketball history to have finished as the top scorer in both the NBA (1967) and the ABA (1969). This double domination confirms his status as a universal scorer.

Secondly, his free throw efficiency is an indelible record. His career 90.0% is one of the best marks in history. He demonstrated that a radical change in technique, although unconventional, could guarantee free points. This percentage is crucial for a scorer who drew so many fouls.

Thirdly, the 1975 title. Barry led an underdog team to the top. It was not a ‘Super Team’. It was his individual talent and leadership that made the difference in the Playoffs. He was the undisputed MVP of those Finals.

Barry left his mark on the NBA with his uncompromising character and obsession with scoring, backed up by statistics that no player of his generation could eclipse. He was the prototype of the absolute winner.