Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
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But even though Matt Barnes spent most of Sunday's game harassing Kobe (inspiring a three minute video of the two of them sparring) into 12 of 30 shooting and a Lakers loss, don't get confused: He's more than just your average agitator. Indeed, when the Magic signed him this offseason, it was one of the biggest—and quietest—steals of the offseason. Take a guess what Matt Barnes is making the next two years. Seriously, take a few seconds and guess.
(waiting...)
$10 million? Nope. Lower.
(waiting...)
$6 million? Nope. Even lower.
(waiting...)
He's making $1.5 million for this year and next.
And even though, in theory, players like Barnes should be dime-a-dozen, they're not. Plenty of guys can play with toughness and pester superstars, but Barnes matches his hustle with real skills, making him a serious bargain at $3 million over two years. Today, SB Nation's Magic blog, Orlando Pinstriped Post, takes a moment to appreciate his virtues, and it's definitely worth a look.
As they explain, the only small forwards rebounding better than Matt Barnes are Gerald Wallace and LeBron James. That's pretty good company, and his true shooting percentage is 57%. Likewise, that's pretty damn good.
But if you don't want to appreciate the finer points of Matt Barnes' game... There's always this play from yesterday, a perfect snapshot from his Kobe harassment:
More impressive: Matt Barnes, for having the gall to taunt the Mamba himself? Or Kobe, for not even flinching?
3 comments
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Matt Barnes showed
that he is a low class player and should have been tossed for the illegal pick he set on Fisher. Note: I am not a Kobe or Laker fan but Barnes crossed the line of good sportsmanship by a good margin. The Magic faithful are twisting and turning trying to justify it as hustle and “hard” play. That is BS.
The Magic seem to be the NBA’s new “Bad Boys” with Howard ,who loves to play with his elbows “up” where he can do damage.
I trust the NBA will step in and prevent this crap before the playoffs.
I'm Polish...what's your excuse?
by Juannieboy on Mar 8, 2010 5:54 PM EST reply actions
Long before Matt Barnes and D Howard there was
Kobe Bean, Black Mamba, Elbow clearing Bryant. Barnes has a history of bad play , so does Bryant. Ask Bibby, Peja, Artest, Childs, Reggie Miller, Iverson, Dwight Howard, etc, etc, etc.
Everytime Kobe throws his hands up he is right in the face of Barnes, Then when he thinks no one is looking he runs his mouth or leads with his elbow.
by Nudoworldwide on Mar 8, 2010 7:07 PM EST reply actions
Half...
Matt Barnes has a player option for next year. With his high-profile stunt in the Lakers-game, he has just set himself up to get paid in the offseason. He will also decline immediately after getting that longer contract. Hey, it happend before.
The Charles Barkley 2009/10 Ancestors Count: 12 Grandmothers, 2 Mothers Alltime: Reg. 35-2 Playoffs 7-0
"There were arms coming from everywhere, and I knew they weren’t going for the ball," Miller said. "I was just trying to get [the shot] up before they called some crap like ‘on the ground.’ "
"What do you want me to do?" Wright asked. "Do you want me to Derek Fisher him?"
"Give them some fucking credit, i mean for real." Jackson said.
"I just fell on my face for no reason," Bryant deadpanned. "I'm a klutz."
"Fucking right i'm preachin' it!" Carlisle replied. He later added "We need to not always make hard work out of sex." Take cover whenever he pulls the undoing-card..
"Rough life, isn't it. It's tough all over, isn't it." Smith chuckled.
Sheed for $30k: "They've got to know that he's a [darn] flopper. That's all Turkododo do."
"Ball." Hedo Turkoglu
Charles Barkley on the Eastern Conference race: "Cleveland and Orlando are the two best teams in the East. The Boston Celtics, people keep waiting on them to get healthy. I mean no disrespect, but old people don’t get healthy. They die."
Mutombo, Ewing and Yao at the restaurant...
MUTOMBO: "The chicken is the bomb."
EWING: [Rubbing belly] "I gotta go work out tonight. I'm full. You got a treadmill for me?"
YAO: " Leave your car keys here and run home. I'll give you the keys tomorrow."
by DOH on Mar 9, 2010 7:47 AM EST reply actions
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