Even before the Warriors had pulled off the impossible, we'd named Matt Barnes one of our playoff revelations. Barnes had bounced around the league, even slipped out of it a few times. When he had a scoring explosion during one of Golden State's injured spells, people chalked it up to Nellie-ball. In this series, though, he was useful by anyone's standards: active, athletic, reliable three-point shooter, and hell-bent on winning. This has gotten me wondering why he hasn't found a home until now. I remember him doing some things for Sacramento in '04-05, but apparently he didn't do enough. What's weird is that the strengths he brings to the Warriors should have shown up anywhere. I guess he just didn't get enough PT, or no one was really paying attention.
It makes me think of Boris Diaw, buried on Atlanta's bench until D'Antoni set him free. The difference is that everyone knew that Diaw was a tall guy with point guard skills; only the Suns had imagined a role for him. Matt Barnes may have been unknown, but you'd think that anyone who saw him would see he had some promise. Lucky for him that Nellie was the one to figure this out.
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Hey Shoals, two of the Warriors starting five went to UCLA. Earl Watson still has a home in Seattle, Dan Gadzuric plays for Milwaukee, and Jason Kapono is in Miami (although he missed playing with Baron by a year). But I don't remember the Bruins making any noise in the tourney between the Harrick and Howland eras. Want to know what took Barnes so long? The Steve Lavin effect.
Hey Shoals, two of the Warriors starting five went to UCLA. Earl Watson still has a home in Seattle, Dan Gadzuric plays for Milwaukee, and Jason Kapono is in Miami (although he missed playing with Baron by a year). But I don't remember the Bruins making any noise in the tourney between the Harrick and Howland eras. Want to know what took Barnes so long? The Steve Lavin effect.
I've been closely watching Matt Barnes' performances for over 2 years, and he always plays like that - all out, butt-busting basketball. He should have been playing more all along, but most coaches see what they expect to see, instead of what's happening in front of their own eyes. I admire Matt for never giving up, even when he wasn't treated fairly. Go Matt, go Warriors!!!!
What happend to Matt Barnes is that he learned to shoot threes. Before this season -- where he hit over 100 threes shooting 37 percent -- his career three point percentage was 21 percent. Now that came in an admittedly smalll sapmle size, but I don't think its a coincidence that Barnes suddenly finds a home the same season his three point percentage almost doubled.
More glorious to merit a sceptre than to possess one.
Matt Barnes is an example of an athletic motivated two way player who can emerge as a great player by working on his outside shot. He got better every year at UCLA and has gotten better every year in the pros.