unsung hero: Matt Barnes

by ZombieWarrior on Apr 22, 2007 11:40 PM PDT

against Dallas Matt Barnes was ALL hustle. And he even had his part with the dagger-in-the-heart play (one of many Warriors dagger-in-the-heart plays) with his 3, after Jrich's block on Devin Harris.

Matt Barnes definately played better than Monta and Pietrus tonight. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a start on Wednesday. He kept his cool, had plenty of hustle plays (like his steal from Dirk's rebound after a missed Warrior freethrow). TNT needs to do one of those heart-warming stories on Matt Barnes because he has definately had a difficult journey in his career as an NBA player and to go through all that and to be able to keep his composure and stayed poised in Game 1.... I was just so impressed with Matt. He has definately earned his contract which he will almost surely be offered in the offseason. What a pickup! Barnes and Kelena have been like, Fry's lottery picks for the Warriors (cheap prices but thats the only thin that's "cheap" about them).

BTW, what was up with Monta and Pietrus tonight?? Pietrus wasn't hitting any of his patented corner 3s and Monta just looked lost out there on the court. I hope both of them lose their game 1 butterflies and step it up a notch because Baron and Stephen Jackson won't be able to produce like that every night. There will definately be adjustments on Dallas's behalf and it is time or other Warriors to step into the spotlight.

GO WARRIORS.

P.S. I am going to game 3 and I am planning on losing my voice by the end of the first quarter.

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

agreed

I love the Mohawk Matt Barnes! How many times did Matty get a crucial offensive rebound? How much did his 3 after J Rich's ferocious swat change the game? I thought he was a key factor in our win, and I hope he steps up even more. One dub

Playoff Rally 2006-2007

by tadams1080 on Apr 22, 2007 11:52 PM PDT reply actions

right on

I love that even if he's not scoring, Barnes finds a way to contribute and make an impact on the game. He makes mistakes occasionally, but you can live with them considering the other intangibles he brings. Pietrus is pretty much useless if his shot isn't falling and he makes way too many silly mental errors. I'll be happy to see MP get paid by another team this offseason and i'll be even happier to see Barnes as W for years to come.

by dirrty on Apr 22, 2007 11:55 PM PDT reply actions

hahahaha Fantasy Junkie totally

killed the vibe of my diary with his Matt Barnes shoutout. I just thought it was very necessary to give Barnes props because everyone was raving about Baron and Stephen (and rightfully so) but I guess plenty of people appreciated Matt Barnes' impact on the game.

RUN TMC!

by ZombieWarrior on Apr 23, 2007 12:06 AM PDT reply actions

Yeah

Barnes has really stepped up this year. What's astounding to me is that he had only 10 made 3's in his NBA career until this year and he hit 105 (during the regular season). I hope the W's can keep him. I don't know what his contract status is, but he's proven to most other teams that he belongs in the NBA, so he's going to be a hot commodity if the W's don't already have him locked up.

And I don't care what Monta said yesterday and Friday about not being nervous for the playoffs, I guarantee that he got nervous today before the game. He'll play better from here on out now that he's hopefully gotten rid of the jitters, especially since we got the win without his usual excellence.

I hope MP plays better during the playoffs. If the W's want to package him in a trade, he has to show teams that he's worth trading for.

Optimist

by believer on Apr 23, 2007 12:42 AM PDT reply actions

Barnes

I really hope the Warriors give him a contract extension. He provides hella hustle, heart, and a shooting touch to our beloved Warriors. Let's hope for some more fine shooting from No. 22!

by Phil T28 on Apr 23, 2007 9:17 AM PDT reply actions

unsung hero: Matt Barnes

Not any more, He's SUNG baby!
Remember when he first showed up and brought that hustle? 1st time he played I liked his effort. Remember when he tried to get a rebound late in a game and accidentally knocked it out of bounds and folks were hatin on him but we said shake it off?
That rebound he snatched from dirks hands last night is why we were high on Matt from the beginning.
And Monta did contribute last night, just not with stats but by being the little brother with no fear and putting the other guys at ease.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Apr 23, 2007 9:33 AM PDT reply actions

Barnes

He's really been able to give the warriors the shooting that they need when Baron and Monte drive then dish. Something Dunleavy was expected to provide, but Barnes is a better defender and able to muscle up against guys bigger than him and scrap for rebounds. I'm sure it's been great to play with former Bruin Baron, not to mention I've noticed they have Rico Hines hanging around in their entourage... Definitely hope Mully gives him an extension.

by FriscoJoe on Apr 23, 2007 9:44 AM PDT reply actions

the barnes bandwagon has officially been pimped...

by 321 IN n OUT on Apr 23, 2007 10:07 AM PDT reply actions

don't let the hustle confuse you...

...not too many people are fully aware (especially given the physique), but Barnes is an absolute freak, athletically (you've probably heard the stories about him considering quitting b-ball to try a football career before finding his home here at golden state) - "coach nelson saved my life" as he put it to Tim Roy on the roundtable the other night...

...check it:

High School -- Two-sport standout performer at Del Campo HS in Sacramento, CA ... Barnes set the State record for blocked shots in a game with 21 ... In basketball as a senior in 1997-98, Barnes averaged 30 points, 10 rebounds, six blocked shots, five steals and three assists a game before missing half the season with a foot injury ... Entering his senior year in basketball, Barnes was a first-team Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West selection (joining then- Bruin freshman teammate Ray Young) and a Street & Smith's high honorable mention All-American ... Also in the summer of `97, Barnes' club team traveled to Paris, placed second and he was named the tournament's MVP ... As a junior in `97, he averaged 26.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.8 blocked shots, 5.5 assists and 3.0 steals ... His four-year varsity career prep basketball honors included All-American, All-State, All-CIF, All-City and All-League ... In 1997, Barnes was the runner-up for Nor Cal Player of the Year and was the Sacramento Player of the Year ... In football as a senior in the fall `97, Barnes had 58 receptions for 1,112 yards and led the nation with 28 touchdown catches ... As a junior, he had 42 catches for 958 yards and 17 touchdown receptions ... His career high school football honors included All-American, All- State, All-CIF, All-City and All-League.

...that's some s%*t

by 321 IN n OUT on Apr 23, 2007 10:19 AM PDT reply actions

i agree but

i hope he doesn't get a start. i much prefer him as a spark off the bench. don't be like the mavs and change your gameplan after being so successful

by AJC3317 on Apr 23, 2007 11:43 AM PDT reply actions

his mohawk was hot!

and his play was so impressive. Lovin' him right now. Have fun at the game alx. Wish I were rich.

sara

by saraluvsbaron on Apr 23, 2007 2:24 PM PDT reply actions

Word!

The Barnes revolution is underway, folks.

The Son of Dippin.

by Barnesgasm on Apr 23, 2007 3:02 PM PDT reply actions

mohawk matty

He was the bench last night. I've always loved his hustle during the season and the scoring threat he provides. It's funny how the Mavs have a deeper bench, but Barnes doubled+ their production last night: 10 points to 4. Keep the mohawk dude!

by Caught Backcourt on Apr 23, 2007 3:56 PM PDT reply actions

I completely

agree, Matt gives us that spark off the bench, even when he's not scoring he's going all out for rebounds and plays pretty good D. You can live with the mistakes he makes because they're hustle mistakes, can never fault anyone for those. I really hope we re-sign him next year.