Mavericks' Barnes seeks to pattern iso game after prime Pierce

The miserable Dallas Mavericks - who currently sit dead last in the NBA with a 2-11 record - have a lot riding on the continued progression of Harrison Barnes, who signed a four-year, $94-million contract with the organization over the offseason.

Barnes is a student of the game, constantly seeking ways to develop his repertoire at a time when the Mavericks are looking to confirm a heir apparent to 13-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki, who might be gone from the league at the end of the season. One player the 24-year-old studies for inspiration is Paul Pierce, aspiring to be as prolific as "The Truth" was during his prime years as an isolation wing.

"No one was like, ‘Paul Pierce is a great ballhandler,' but he could always get to his spot," Barnes told ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "He could always get separation. That's one thing that I still need to get better at. No matter whether it was a backdown, face-up, transition, he went at his pace and could always get to his spot. That's one thing I've just got to continue to get better at. No matter what the situation, he could always get to his spot, get a little lean.

"He was great at using his body and then could get to his shot without just using his athletic ability to jump straight over people. Using fakes with his shoulder, with his body, rolling off guys - all those little things that he did, it was really remarkable. Now, I'm studying him the most."

Barnes works isolation on his defender 31.5 percent of the time, connecting on 52.1 of his shot attempts. He leads the NBA in those plays with 88, resulting in 90 total points.

Pierce's Los Angeles Clippers are in town Wednesday night to battle the Mavericks at the American Airlines Center, although it's highly unlikely Barnes and the 19-year veteran will cross paths during the game. Head coach Doc Rivers has played Pierce a grand total of 17 minutes to begin the regular season, with 13 DNPs in 15 games.