-Sacramento Bee PF options through FA are underwhelming, and it's almost a certainty that we will address our need through Trade. That said, Barnes was a guy many expected to get overpaid due to his play last year. He brings a similar game to the table as Tim Thomas, only with less lethargy. I was impressed with his tenacity last year. He can get minutes at the 4 against smaller teams and guard the 3 and 2 as well. I realize that this signing only really makes sense if we trade away luther and our surplus of 1's. I don't see Snyder or Novak ahead of him on the depth chart as is. Thoughts??
get Matt Barnes, now from http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/features/rumors?univLogin02=stateChanged) Barnes Frustrated Jul 12 - Wednesday was the first day teams could sign free agents, and Matt Barnes said he has not received the offers he anticipated. "Right now, there's nothing happening," he said. "I was thinking the midlevel exception was realistic, but my agent has been telling me teams have questioned whether the success I had was because of (Warriors coach) Don Nelson's system and whether or not I could have the same success in another system. "It's pretty frustrating because I thought I had a good year," said Barnes, who averaged 9.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists and shot 43.8 percent from the field, including 36.6 percent from three-point range, in 23.9 minutes per game during the regular season. "It was not a great season, but it was good. And from what other players have received, I thought I'd be right there in that mix. But Golden State has not come around to what I thought they might, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens." -- Sacramento Bee I don't buy the guy can't play or is a product of their system only . The player I saw was a heck of lot better than Jason Kapono or Matt Carroll--shoot the 3 OK (but not great), but also smart on the court, intense, and does a lot of things well (including cover your perimeter 4s like Dirk, Marion, Odom, etc). I know he isn't the ideal fit, more of a 3/4 than a true 4, but I think he is by far the best value out there and can provide some PF help (he does go 235, and though no Chuck Hayes on the glass, is a much better rebounder than Battier) in addition to back up 3. There are times you could put he, Tmac and Battier on the floor at the same time. Further, if it just isn't working out, he/Battier/Wells can be part of a PF trade before the deadline. 3 years 15 mil or 4 years 17 mil with a player option--best value out there. Get him while GS is messing around and teams are aiming for higher profile guys. I believe his value will go up later in FA when teams realize he is the best value out there.
I love the idea. I was on 610am this morning on my way into the dentist. I mentioned that if the Rockets had to use Battier to bring a legit PF onto this team, would Matt Barnes be a good sub in his spot. He did really well in GS's up tempo system. He played for Adelman back in Sac-town before. He could guard the opposing teams best player like Battier did. He doesnt seem to have the shooting skill that Battier has, but he plays with more fire (something this team has lacked). If we do trade Battier for a PF, I think by adding Barnes (and maybe Francis as a SG) we have a better all around team with more depth. Of course untill we can put a face on the player we would recieve for Battier, that would be debated by the board. YES TO BARNES!
Matt Barnes for the MLE or Gerald Wallace at an avg of 10 mil a year? Hmmmmmmmmm this is a no brainer. Morey gets this done and all is forgiven
i wouldnt trust barnes enough to "replace" battier...there is a reason this guys been passed around more than a joint at cheech and chong re-union
Hence the reasoning to trade battier for a 4 and have Barnes at the 2 and McGrady at the 3. Barnes is no slouch on defense.
People always say things like this and yet you look around the league and find guys like Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, and Mike James. Sometimes players take longer to develop. Sometimes they take longer to mature. Sometimes they just need to get a chance to prove what they can do.
Yeah, sign Barnes, sign Francis, trade the glut of PG's and Battier for a PF and we're set. Really does depend on the PF though, hmmm, is Tyson Chandler at all available?
sometimes it takes players awhile to catch on ala maro elie. I think barnes has established that he can be a player in this league. I didn't even take trading battier into account above.I agree that if the PF we trade for is to be anyone worthwhile, battier would in all liklihood have to be included. between barnes and bonzi there wouldn't be alot of drop-off from battier's production last year. also, for those who wouldn't mind spending the MLE on barnes...what's being alluded to in that excerpt is that Barnes can be had for less than the MLE...not bad
Yeah, I think Barnes would bring some much needed intensity and fire to the team. Hayes and Battier are the ultimate hustle guys but Barnes seems to want it more. Who knows though, the GS series could have been a fluke.
I heard your call, and yes with Barnes history with RA it would make me feel better if we did sign him. I would rather package a combo of Sura/Lucus3/Head/Alston to get a lesser 4 and use the MLE on someone who could help. Sura + Alston + Head (team gets Head on the cheap + Alston to play point and cap room with Sura) for a 4 Trade Lucus for second rounder. Roll with James/Span/Brooks (Span will get over his "personal problems" with those moves and the Rockets will have a PG for now in James and two young guys in Span and Brooks to compete) James/Span/Brooks T-Mac/Wells/Snyder Battier/Barnes/Novak Insert 4/Hayes/Landry/Reed Yao/Deke or Jake That is 15 with 3 players abroad in Lior/Newley and Batiete(sp) but more important it's a balanced roster Nine man rotation is the five starters + Span/Wells/Barnes and Hayes with Deke playing some vs a real center and others getting time depending on matchups ie. Novak to spread the floor Brooks for speed Snyder on d etc. etc.
MLE on Barnes: yes! Give up Battier? No way. I love Barnes' energy and nastiness. If it was Nelly getting that play out of him, I think Adelman can too. He impressed me during the playoffs. Even if he's been passed around like a j at Cheech and Chong's, I want a toke!
no i agree. i think he is a legit NBA player but for me, there is a risk there and battier you know exactly what you're getting. Barnes has had 1 "good" and thats being generous. Maybe there isnt much of a drop off, but there is a drop off. Of course, it depends on what PF we are talking about too. Im just cautious. its certainly an option to consider though
I would definately approve of this signing. Matt Barnes would be a great pick-up, the Warriors were my second favorite team to watch and Barnes provided some excitement. His defense would compliment Battier's, and not replace it if at all possible. I know getting a power forward is a priority but also getting bench depth. Barnes can play multiple positions including power forward. He would not solve the Boozer problem, but remember the other forwards still have to gaurd him unlike Hayes. The only reason we did not advance in the playoffs was because are scoring options were limited to Yao and T-Mac. So with Bonzi, James, Brooks, and hopefully Barnes and Francis helping out, I truthfully would fear no team in the NBA. Get it done Morey!!!
Thoughts? Grab the guy, double time. If anything was exposed last season, especially in the playoffs, it was our absence of a bench worth mentioning. Barnes would be a great asset for the Rockets, and a big increase in the depth we so sorely need. Get Barnes, and hope for a 4 in a sign and trade.
Barnes is a PF? More like a SF. Yeah he would be a good pickup but I doubt we will get him with 30 other teams trying too. Plus he could always end up being a 2007 version of 2006 Bonzi in the playoffs.
