Tag: Matt Barnes

Matt Barnes, Kevin Garnett have a message for Sixers’ James Harden

Former NBA champions Matt Barnes and Kevin Garnett have a message for Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden.

With training camp beginning on Tuesday, James Harden is still a member of the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers have yet to receive an offer they deem fit for them to move their elite playmaker. Therefore, they expect him to be at training camp with the team.

Considering he is under contract for $35.6 million for the 2023-24 season, he ought to show up and participate in camp.

This is not the first time Harden has requested a trade. He forced his way off the Houston Rockets and the Brooklyn Nets already. Now, he is looking to force his way out of Philadelphia.

Former NBA champions Matt Barnes and Kevin Garnett had a warning for Harden as the new season approaches:

Barnes: I think James has to be careful because the NBA doesn’t need him. The NBA doesn’t need him no more. I’m all for player power empowerment. All of us for player empowerment, but he forced his way to Houston, forced his way out of Brooklyn, now he’s trying to force the way out of Philly. Like, at some point everyone’s gonna be saying like — and he’s got so much talent a lot of game left, to talk himself out of the league with his talent, which is a crazy to think.

Garnett: I think, a couple times, when you wiggle your way out bro, you only got about one or two wiggles. You ain’t got no infinite (wiggles).

Barnes: We all feel like he has so much game left. He’s not the player he was, but he’s still a 19 and 10 type guy, so he can still play. So my thing with him is he just has to be careful. As good as he is, the way he’s been wiggling. Like KG said, you only get so many wiggles.

The Harden situation continues to rage on, and it could get more entertaining as training camp rolls around. The Sixers will not trade him just to do it and get it over with. President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey has shown his patience in the past to wait for the right move that will benefit his team.

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Kevin Garnett on the death of the one-dimensional big man in today’s NBA

The role of NBA centers and forwards has changed considerably since the early decades of the sport.

Once, an NBA big man could get by in the league simply by being an absolutely massive human being. But as time went by, NBA players in the frontcourt have had to add a lot more to their game to stay in the league as players at all positions became tasked with an ever-growing list of responsibilities and expectations.

With winning basketball requiring bigs to be able to shoot, pass, dribble, and block the ball in some combination to have a chance at staying on the floor, the role of NBA centers and forwards has changed considerably since the early decades of the sport.

Hall of Fame Boston Celtics big man Kevin Garnett recently sat down with fellow former NBAer Matt Barnes to discuss the changing role of big men in the league.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what the pair had to say about that evolution that Garnett himself helped spur.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics Hall of Fame center Kevin Garnett on the NBA’s big man renaissance

With the top three candidates for the NBA’s 2023 Most Valuable Player award all being big men in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and of course the winner Joel Embiid, it seems safe to say that the big man is back in the league of today.

The big man nearly went extinct in the NBA in the 2010s. The rise of small ball lineups that valued speed and shooting over size and post play dominated that era.

But the top three candidates for the NBA’s 2023 Most Valuable Player award were big men, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and of course the winner Joel Embiid, so it seems safe to say the big man is back in the league of today.

On a recent episode of the Showtime Basketball “KG Certified” podcast, eponymous host Kevin Garnett linked up with retired NBAer Matt Barnes to discuss the resurgence of frontcourt players in the Association.

Check out the clip embedded below to hear the Hall of Fame Boston Celtics center revel in the rebirth of the big in today’s NBA.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Matt Barnes: LeBron needs to take a step back for Russell Westbrook

Is the key to Russell Westbrook fitting in this season LeBron James ceding a bit of his workload?

Perhaps the biggest storyline for the Los Angeles Lakers this season is how well (or poorly) Russell Westbrook will fit in.

After how badly things went between him and the rest of the team last year, there is a huge amount of pressure on him to somehow make things work.

However, not all of the onus is on Westbrook. Some of it falls on new head coach Darvin Ham, who has taken the initiative to forge a working relationship with him and let him know what he expects.

Then there is the role LeBron James needs to play as the engine and dominant personality of the Lakers.

One former Laker, Matt Barnes, thinks James needs to sacrifice a little to help Westbrook play his role well and for the team to be successful.

Via Lakers Daily:

“Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Barnes had an interesting take on how LeBron James can help Russell Westbrook thrive in the 2022-23 NBA season.

“‘I think Bron may have to take a small step back to allow Russ to be Russ,’ Barnes said. ‘You think – you get older your game’s going to change a little bit. You’re going to find a way. I think Russ is going to be Russ. And I think what makes him great sometimes is his downfall.’

“‘But one thing I do know: You can’t put Russell Westbrook in the corner. He’s always had the ball in his hands. So, we all know the Lakers are at their best when Bron has the ball in his hands, but I think that, what could happen is allow Russ to have the ball in his hands the first two and a half quarters to really get a feel. Obviously, Bron’s going to have it sometimes there. A.D. (Anthony Davis) will have it sometimes there.’

“‘But, allowing Russ to get his rhythm, so by the time LeBron takes over at the middle of the third quarter and the fourth quarter, when he has the ball is his hands the majority of the time, Russ is already in rhythm.'”

If the right formula is found, it could not only allow Westbrook to thrive, but it could also help preserve the 37-year-old James and help keep him healthy and fresh for what L.A. hopes will be an extended playoff run.

There will certainly have to be a delicate give-and-take, as the Lakers need to play around Westbrook’s strengths to a certain extent while making sure he sticks to the role Ham has given him and doesn’t play too individualistically.

There was reportedly awkwardness between the two men during the summer. James was reportedly pushing to have Westbrook traded to make the Lakers a contender again. But since training camp started, there have been no signs of that awkwardness lingering around.

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Podcaster, ex-NBAer Matt Barnes retracts criticism of Ime Udoka suspension, hints more negative details to come

The former NBAer hints there may be more sordid details yet to emerge.

Like many who were struggling to understand the severity of Ime Udoka‘s punishment before many of the important facts had been brought to light that shaped the Boston Celtics’ decision to suspend their head coach for the entirety of the 2022-23 NBA season, “All the Smoke” podcast host and former NBAer Matt Barnes was critical of the suspension on social media.

But on Friday, after more details emerged about the rationale behind such a significant penalty, Barnes took to social media yet again, acknowledging his error and sharing he’d been made privy to details suggesting there are more details of a negative nature yet to meet the public eye.

Watch the clip embedded below courtesy of “Celtics Beat” host Adam Kaufman to hear what the Showtime podcaster had to say about the situation, as well as what might be coming down the pike regarding the Udoka scandal dominating NBA media at the moment.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

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NBA champion Matt Barnes chimes on Sixers adding Montrezl Harrell

NBA champion Matt Barnes reacts to the Philadelphia 76ers bringing in Montrezl Harrell on a deal.

The Philadelphia 76ers added to their depth on Tuesday when they brought in former Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell on a two-year deal. The Sixers needed more depth behind Joel Embiid, and the Harrell signing addresses that need.

Harrell averaged 13.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in 71 games for the Washington Wizards and the Charlotte Hornets in the 2021-22 season, and he has experience with some Sixers personnel. He played with James Harden while with the Houston Rockets, and he played for coach Doc Rivers while with the Los Angeles Clippers. That familiarity should help in his transition.

NBA champion, and current NBA analyst for ESPN, Matt Barnes reacted to the news on his Instagram as he calls it a big pickup for the Sixers.

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Barnes is right. Rivers is somebody who relies on experienced and veteran players rather than youngsters when it comes to rotation players, and Harrell obviously ticks that box. The Sixers look for him to help the bench unit continue to grow as they chase a title in the 2022-23 season.

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Every player in Philadelphia 76ers history who has worn No. 21

Here is a list of all 14 players who have worn the No. 21 for the Philadelphia 76ers in their history.

It’s summertime in the NBA, so it’s time to learn some history. The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the older franchises in the NBA. Their history dates to the 1949-50 season.

With that longevity, the team has had hundreds of players come through the City of Brotherly Love. Sixers Wire looks at the No. 21 which has been worn by 14 of those players in the history of the franchise.

This running series will go through all of the uniform numbers worn in franchise history. The previous edition of this series was a list compiling the 16 players who have worn the No. 22.

Here is the list of the 14 who have worn No. 21 in Sixers history:

Steve Aoki’s terrible first pitch makes a lot of sense after hearing Matt Barnes’ pregame advice

That explains everything.

In a sense, it’s easy to understand why we often see some abysmal attempts at the ceremonial first pitch. You’re asking non-baseball players to throw a ball in front of a lot of people with no warmup. It’s tough.

But this wasn’t the first time DJ Steve Aoki had been in that situation, but it was the first time he absolutely airmailed a throw into the top netting at Fenway Park.

Well, we now know why the terrible throw happened the way it did. Aoki got some questionable pregame advice from Red Sox pitcher Matt Barnes, and he took that advice to heart.

The Red Sox shared a video on TikTok of Aoki and Barnes chatting it up before the first pitch. Aoki had mentioned to Barnes that he failed to even make it to home plate on his previous first pitch attempts. That was when Barnes told Aoki, “Aim higher, let it eat … throw it as hard as you can.”

Aoki did just that …

At first, it seemed like an intentional attempt to go viral with a bad throw because, uh, who launches a first pitch like that? But after seeing that video, it all makes so much sense. He took Barnes’ advice a bit too literally.

MLB fans thought it was great too.

Ohio State defensive play caller Matt Barnes discusses Rose Bowl, state of team

Hear and watch what the Ohio State football defensive play caller Matt Barnes said Tuesday at a media session for the Rose Bowl. #GoBucks

Ohio State football’s visit to SoCal is in full swing out in Pasadena as the team prepares to play in the Rose Bowl on Saturday. Yesterday we got some video and pictures of the Buckeyes at Disneyland in Anaheim, and today, assistant coach Matt Barnes and some of the defensive players were made available for a media session in downtown Los Angeles.

What we do know, is that change is afoot on the defensive side of the ball with former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles hired to plug some leaks that sprung on the defense his year. That will without a doubt impact Matt Barnes who has been the main defensive play caller ever since changes were made a couple of games in because of some suspect play on that side of the ball.

In case you missed any of what was said by Barnes who seems to have a real affinity for Ohio State and Columbus, we’ve got the transcripts of the wide-ranging media session from Tuesday in downtown L.A.

Watch: Gilbert Arenas and Matt Barnes on 76ers and Ben Simmons

Former NBA players Gilbert Arenas and Matt Barnes speak on the Ben Simmons situation with the Philadelphia 76ers for Fubo Sports.

The Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons have been entangled in a trade back-and-forth for some time now, with each party waiting for the other to give in.

Former NBA players Gilbert Arenas and Matt Barnes commented on the Simmons situation on the “No Chill with Gilbert Arenas” show for Fubo Sports Thursday.

Barnes focused more on his hope that Simmons finds himself in a better situation, while Arenas broke down the lead-up to the situation between the two entities.

“It’s going to get ugly and I hope they can lift him out and just let him have a fresh start because that bridge is burned and it’ll never be rebuilt,” Barnes said.

This is a sad thing that owners and management does. They don’t understand how the world actually works. You have a product, you don’t want the product anymore, right? So what you try to do is you try to damage the products to the world, so ‘Ben Simmons can’t shoot, he don’t work out’ you say everything that you need to get rid of him, but then you wonder why the buyer – the next team – don’t want him.

– Gilbert Arenas

Simmons recently declined a meeting with his Sixers teammates to help better the situation with the team, according to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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