Yes, they can. I loved 1v1ing another Throw Barb, although we'd usually run out of harpoons before anyone died...

I never really bothered trying to perfect a Throw Barb, due to the fact that it doesn't do too great vs much other than other Throw Barbs. The element of surprise is the only thing they really have going for them.

You can lay down a pattern of javelins, but you'll be lacking in resists with a typical 160/60 build.