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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12462455p-13318478c.html
Barnes learns that NBA is a business
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, February 26, 2005
PHILADELPHIA - He still bears the tattoo and still swears by it.
"Sac Town's Finest."
Matt Barnes said Friday that he still sticks to his credo that he's the best regional prospect prowling the NBA since Kevin Johnson in the 1990s, only now he'll be doing it on the opposite coast.
Barnes, a Del Campo High School product who vowed to impact his beloved hometown team and did, said that he felt a gamut of emotions upon learning that he had been traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a six-player swap Wednesday night.
The forward caught word that Chris Webber was involved in a deal, and then wondered about his own fate while sitting in a hotel room in Dallas, where the Kings played Thursday.
"It was two hours of sitting on needles," Barnes said, just before taking a physical, thus clearing himself, Webber and Michael Bradley for today's game against the Kings. "It was unbelievable to go through. I didn't know what was going on.
"When I heard that Webb was traded, I had a sick feeling to my stomach, because I know what he means to this team, and then I was in my room wondering what was going to happen to me."
The three Kings forwards were swapped for three 76ers forwards with the eye on depth and flexibility. The new Kings - Kenny Thomas, Corliss Williamson and Brian Skinner - have contracts nowhere near as big as Webber's. Barnes was part of the deal because his low pay - by NBA standards - helped balance the salaries of the players involved.
He went from hometown kid who made it to a part of a business decision.
"I understand how it works," Barnes said. "I was a little hurt at first because it was definitely a shock."
To his friends and family as well.
Barnes made a vow to his closest pals in high school that if he ever made it to the NBA, he'd buy a place and they'd all move in with him, sort of like Animal House, only the star attraction would be a real-life NBA player.
Barnes took a financial gamble this summer when he turned down more lucrative offers from other teams so he could try to make the Kings' roster.
He impressed in camp, got off to a good start in the regular season, struggled when he tried too hard and pressed, then surged again in recent weeks. All told, Barnes had nine reliable starts, averaging three rebounds and nearly four points and adding something not found on the stat sheet: plenty of hustle.
All the while, his parents - Ann and Henry - and a horde of longtime followers regularly came to Arco Arena.
Barnes didn't always have enough tickets to accommodate the crowd that watched his ascent. He went from "Hot Shot" shooting star as a rail-thin middle schooler at Arco to driving force for the Del Campo teams of the late 1990s, with the championship games contested in Arco.
Barnes was one of the most decorated prep athletes to come through Sacramento, sharing headlines with the emerging Kings. Then he became Kings news.
"It was a dream come true to make the Kings and to play for them," Barnes said. "I'll never forget it. I know my family is disappointed. I don't think my mom will understand fully how this works, like I did something wrong and the Kings traded me. She'll understand in time. They need to know that this is a job."
And it's a job Barnes appreciates. He did his time in what players call the "D-League" - the National Basketball Developmental League - to hone his skills. He managed 43 games with the Los Angeles Clippers last season, including nine starts.
And if someone would have told him years ago that, someday, he'd get some run with Webber and Allen Iverson?
"I don't know if I would have believed it," Barnes said. "I'm excited. We have a chance to make the playoffs in the East and to do things."
Philadelphia coach Jim O'Brien said he expects Barnes to help on defense, to challenge the wings and gobble up rebounds. "I like how hard he plays and what he can do," O'Brien said. "He's going to help us because we need help on defense. We're glad to have him."
Barnes learns that NBA is a business
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, February 26, 2005
PHILADELPHIA - He still bears the tattoo and still swears by it.
"Sac Town's Finest."
Matt Barnes said Friday that he still sticks to his credo that he's the best regional prospect prowling the NBA since Kevin Johnson in the 1990s, only now he'll be doing it on the opposite coast.
Barnes, a Del Campo High School product who vowed to impact his beloved hometown team and did, said that he felt a gamut of emotions upon learning that he had been traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a six-player swap Wednesday night.
The forward caught word that Chris Webber was involved in a deal, and then wondered about his own fate while sitting in a hotel room in Dallas, where the Kings played Thursday.
"It was two hours of sitting on needles," Barnes said, just before taking a physical, thus clearing himself, Webber and Michael Bradley for today's game against the Kings. "It was unbelievable to go through. I didn't know what was going on.
"When I heard that Webb was traded, I had a sick feeling to my stomach, because I know what he means to this team, and then I was in my room wondering what was going to happen to me."
The three Kings forwards were swapped for three 76ers forwards with the eye on depth and flexibility. The new Kings - Kenny Thomas, Corliss Williamson and Brian Skinner - have contracts nowhere near as big as Webber's. Barnes was part of the deal because his low pay - by NBA standards - helped balance the salaries of the players involved.
He went from hometown kid who made it to a part of a business decision.
"I understand how it works," Barnes said. "I was a little hurt at first because it was definitely a shock."
To his friends and family as well.
Barnes made a vow to his closest pals in high school that if he ever made it to the NBA, he'd buy a place and they'd all move in with him, sort of like Animal House, only the star attraction would be a real-life NBA player.
Barnes took a financial gamble this summer when he turned down more lucrative offers from other teams so he could try to make the Kings' roster.
He impressed in camp, got off to a good start in the regular season, struggled when he tried too hard and pressed, then surged again in recent weeks. All told, Barnes had nine reliable starts, averaging three rebounds and nearly four points and adding something not found on the stat sheet: plenty of hustle.
All the while, his parents - Ann and Henry - and a horde of longtime followers regularly came to Arco Arena.
Barnes didn't always have enough tickets to accommodate the crowd that watched his ascent. He went from "Hot Shot" shooting star as a rail-thin middle schooler at Arco to driving force for the Del Campo teams of the late 1990s, with the championship games contested in Arco.
Barnes was one of the most decorated prep athletes to come through Sacramento, sharing headlines with the emerging Kings. Then he became Kings news.
"It was a dream come true to make the Kings and to play for them," Barnes said. "I'll never forget it. I know my family is disappointed. I don't think my mom will understand fully how this works, like I did something wrong and the Kings traded me. She'll understand in time. They need to know that this is a job."
And it's a job Barnes appreciates. He did his time in what players call the "D-League" - the National Basketball Developmental League - to hone his skills. He managed 43 games with the Los Angeles Clippers last season, including nine starts.
And if someone would have told him years ago that, someday, he'd get some run with Webber and Allen Iverson?
"I don't know if I would have believed it," Barnes said. "I'm excited. We have a chance to make the playoffs in the East and to do things."
Philadelphia coach Jim O'Brien said he expects Barnes to help on defense, to challenge the wings and gobble up rebounds. "I like how hard he plays and what he can do," O'Brien said. "He's going to help us because we need help on defense. We're glad to have him."
