Warriors Rewind: Former No. 2 overall pick Rick Barry scores game-high 44 points vs. Pistons in 1966

With no hoops on the schedule, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s history for memorable matchups and standout performances.

With no hoops on the calendar, Warriors Wire is rewinding the tape back through Golden State’s history for memorable matchups, standout performances and everything else in between.

Only once in franchise history has the Golden State Warriors landed the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft. Luckily for the Warriors, their second pick from the past was a home run. 

Before Bob Myers and Steve Kerr are on the clock in the 2020 NBA Draft, Warriors Wire is highlighting one performance from Golden State’s lone former No. 2 selection.

November 14, 1966

Following four consecutive wins, the San Francisco Warriors welcomed the Detroit Pistons to the Bay Area for the second straight night. One day prior to their Sunday night tilt, the Warriors blew past the Pistons for a 135-96 win in San Francisco. Yet, the Pistons returned for a rare back-to-back matchup featuring future Hall of Fame talent Rick Barry.

The second-year small forward exploded for a game-high 44 points on 17-of-30 shooting from the field, with 11 rebounds and six assists in 44 minutes. Against the Pistons, Barry knocked down all 10 of his 10 trips to the free-throw line.

Barry’s All-Star teammate Nate Thurmond added a monster double-double performance with 20 points on 9-of-20 shooting from the field with 30 rebounds.

While Ron Reed also recorded an impressive double-double with 15 points and 20 rebounds for the Pistons, it wasn’t enough to keep up with the San Francisco Warriors.

San Francisco’s 115-104 win over the Pistons helped push their winning streak to five games. The Warriors would go on to win seven consecutive games before snapping their win streak with a loss to the Baltimore Bullets.

For more on the No. 2 overall pick from the 1965 draft, watch a highlight video from the Golden State Warriors on YouTube:

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