gotpitbull
G-League
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12906045p-13754497c.html
By Joe Davidson, Bee Staff Writer
Sometimes, change is good. For Matt Barnes, however, his relocation from a perfectly comfortable Kings setting was a colossal headache and disaster.
When Barnes was shipped to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the Chris Webber package Feb. 23, it didn't just revamp the Kings' roster. The deal derailed what had been a productive season for Barnes, who made nine starts for his hometown team.
In Philly, he never played again. The swingman from Del Campo High School and UCLA suited up for the first two games as a 76er, then was stashed on the injured list for the remainder of the season with, well, he's not sure, exactly.
The reason was listed as knee tendinitis, only there was a problem with that diagnosis.
"I've never had any problems with my knee in my life," Barnes said Monday afternoon. "I found out what kind of business this really is. I thought they had plans for me. It was the most hurt I've ever been in this sport. I didn't play a second and had to watch a team I know I could have helped."
Now, Barnes is back in Sacramento, working out daily at Basketball Town in Rancho Cordova, hoping for a call from an NBA team in need of a long, lean, 6-foot-7 rebounder and defender. He's a free agent.
Barnes said the Kings have expressed interest, much to his excitement. But isn't there any bitterness?
"No way," Barnes said. "I know it's a business. I'd love to come back to the Kings. I really would."
Barnes isn't short of motivation. He wrote reminders - "Remember how it felt to watch the playoffs" - and stashed the notes throughout his Folsom home.
And Barnes proved to be good to his word upon his Sacramento return.
He had committed to an area fund-raiser before his trade and afterward promised he'd come through at a later date. Sure enough, he was at St. Mel's School in Fair Oaks last week, working with hordes of 10-year-olds who were part of the Pennies for Patients fund-raiser. Barnes later accepted an award from the Sacramento Chapter of the Leukemia-Lymphoma Chapter for his help.
"Matt was just incredible," said Mary Kidd-Gonzales, co-chair for the fund-raiser. "He faithfully said he'd come back and did."
Barnes said the only good to come from the 76ers experience was bonding with Webber, who endured his own tough go in his new surroundings. They hung out, dined together, complained to each other. And they're vacationing in Jamaica this weekend with other friends.
"We became like brothers," Barnes said.
In an effort to receive another opportunity with the Kings, Barnes is retooling his game. He's using Webber's shooting coach, Buzz Braman, who has made a living helping people shoot straight.
Barnes has always had something of an unorthodox shooting form, with his left hand placed almost directly in front of the ball. It didn't hurt him in high school, and he managed as a four-year starter at UCLA. However, his shooting has been a concern in the NBA.
"The knock on me is that I can't shoot," Barnes said. "My mechanics weren't very good. It's hard to change after 20 years shooting this way, like trying to learn to walk again. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise."
By Joe Davidson, Bee Staff Writer
Sometimes, change is good. For Matt Barnes, however, his relocation from a perfectly comfortable Kings setting was a colossal headache and disaster.
When Barnes was shipped to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the Chris Webber package Feb. 23, it didn't just revamp the Kings' roster. The deal derailed what had been a productive season for Barnes, who made nine starts for his hometown team.
In Philly, he never played again. The swingman from Del Campo High School and UCLA suited up for the first two games as a 76er, then was stashed on the injured list for the remainder of the season with, well, he's not sure, exactly.
The reason was listed as knee tendinitis, only there was a problem with that diagnosis.
"I've never had any problems with my knee in my life," Barnes said Monday afternoon. "I found out what kind of business this really is. I thought they had plans for me. It was the most hurt I've ever been in this sport. I didn't play a second and had to watch a team I know I could have helped."
Now, Barnes is back in Sacramento, working out daily at Basketball Town in Rancho Cordova, hoping for a call from an NBA team in need of a long, lean, 6-foot-7 rebounder and defender. He's a free agent.
Barnes said the Kings have expressed interest, much to his excitement. But isn't there any bitterness?
"No way," Barnes said. "I know it's a business. I'd love to come back to the Kings. I really would."
Barnes isn't short of motivation. He wrote reminders - "Remember how it felt to watch the playoffs" - and stashed the notes throughout his Folsom home.
And Barnes proved to be good to his word upon his Sacramento return.
He had committed to an area fund-raiser before his trade and afterward promised he'd come through at a later date. Sure enough, he was at St. Mel's School in Fair Oaks last week, working with hordes of 10-year-olds who were part of the Pennies for Patients fund-raiser. Barnes later accepted an award from the Sacramento Chapter of the Leukemia-Lymphoma Chapter for his help.
"Matt was just incredible," said Mary Kidd-Gonzales, co-chair for the fund-raiser. "He faithfully said he'd come back and did."
Barnes said the only good to come from the 76ers experience was bonding with Webber, who endured his own tough go in his new surroundings. They hung out, dined together, complained to each other. And they're vacationing in Jamaica this weekend with other friends.
"We became like brothers," Barnes said.
In an effort to receive another opportunity with the Kings, Barnes is retooling his game. He's using Webber's shooting coach, Buzz Braman, who has made a living helping people shoot straight.
Barnes has always had something of an unorthodox shooting form, with his left hand placed almost directly in front of the ball. It didn't hurt him in high school, and he managed as a four-year starter at UCLA. However, his shooting has been a concern in the NBA.
"The knock on me is that I can't shoot," Barnes said. "My mechanics weren't very good. It's hard to change after 20 years shooting this way, like trying to learn to walk again. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise."
Last edited by a moderator:
