Will Barton isn't taking this closely-contested series personally against his former team, the Portland Trail Blazers, as the agile wing has had plenty of time to move on from his trade back in 2015.
The Denver Nuggets swingman was traded along with Victor Claver, Thomas Robinson and a lottery-protected 2016 first-round pick for Arron Afflalo and Alonzo Gee. He is now the only one of the bunch remaining in the NBA.
“I don’t think about it that way,” Will Barton told Joe Vardon of The Athletic. “I’m passed that. That was a long time ago in my career. They just happen to be the opponent that we’re playing against and I just want to beat them, not because I used to play with them, just because they’re in our way for trying to advance. That’s the only thing I’m thinking about. I can’t try to make it personal or anything like that. It’s our team versus theirs and that’s it.”
Barton shook off a horrendous start to the postseason with a 22-point outing in quadruple overtime in a loss to the Blazers in Game 3, riding a wave of success to a Game 4 win with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.
The 6-foot-5 wing has returned to his previous role as a sixth man after being a starter all year long, still playing major minutes for Denver, despite his shortcomings as a shooter.
“Only thing I think about is when my number is called, going out there and trying to produce,” Barton said. “I can’t try and personally hold any grudges, because I (don’t) want to be bad and be bad for this team. All I’m thinking about is when coach calls my number going out there and trying to win a basketball game, playing as hard as I can.”
The Nuggets have the home court advantage with the series tied at 2-2, hoping Barton will erupt for a big performance in the near future.
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