For the ones that didn't follow Barnes religiously last year like myself (he was my best fantasy basketball player for a while), he can perform if given the minutes. It wasn't a fluke that he was the starter--AND performed well--when Richardson went down near the middle of last season. The thing I like about Barnes is that he can score. Not at will like an Arenas or a Kobe but he can put points on the board. He's also, IMO, an underrated ball handler. Not PG material, but he can keep the ball moving.
I do not think Barnes is a replacment for Battier, he is a compliment. He played the majority of minutes last year at PF (82games). He played almost all playoff minutes at the PF. Granted GS plays small, but he still held his own at the 4 most of the time. Barnes is 235lbs and rebounds decent--unlike Battier, who just can't play the 4. Barnes isn't a full time PF, but he is 3/4. There are many times Tmac, Battier and Barnes could all be on the court at the same time--particularly against the athetic run and gun teams that give us extra trouble. Barnes would contribute to our PF by committe. We could start Barnes (or stilt PT) versus the speedy/rangy 4s like Marion, Odom, Mavs, Warriors, and start/stilt Hayes versus the Jazz, Spurs playing big, Clips, etc. Either way we could assure him of 24-28 minutes between the PF (and compete for starter spot or part tyime starter) and back-up SF spots--I don't think GS can offer the same, they are a lot deeper in swingmen and PFs. I propose a PF comitte of Barnes, Hayes, + some other minimum/LLE bigger sized guy (Skinner/Roberts/Mihm, etc) or Landry providing the 3rd option. I don't think there are better options out there--certainly not Joe Smith. And if that doesn't work, we have trade options with Battier, Barnes or Wells.
Matt Barnes seriously reminds me of Doug Christie back in the sacramento days. We should go for it. We should also sign Brian Skinner as a Back up center/pf. Scoring options: 1. Yao 2. Tracy 3. Mike 4. Bonzi 5. Barnes 6. Battier 7. Rafer 8. Luther 9. Hayes 10. Skinner looks pretty good. Give the rooks novak, brooks, snyder, landry, harris??? garbage minutes.
And to add to this thread: He shot 37% from behind the arc last year and 42% from behind the arc in the playoffs.
yes he need to get more mobile yao should be the only slow person on our team, no one really has big slow centers anymore
I agree, Barnes is good, but not worth a Battier... Then again, as long as we have Tmac, Battier and Bonzi, I don't think Barnes could get much minutes unless he play the PF spot. With his performance in GS, I really doubt he can be a fulltime 4..
Why couldn't he? Is it that you think this team is still stuck under the old assistant coach philosophy. 8 man rotation no matter what? Time for the pet players getting 46mpg to be done. More players don't equal unhappiness. Barnes can get time if he came here. The guy is too productive of a player to just leave on the bench. Only a stubborn egotist like assistant coach Gundy would think of doing that.
Don't bother. He thinks that Bonzi Wells is still going to be an integral part of this team's success. That says it all right there.
I find it a trip that so many members here seem to pencil in Wells at the 2/3 for major minutes. He hasn't shown us a damn thing. If he comes into camp in seriously great shape and plays to the level he was at a couple of seasons ago, I'll be damned surprised. Pleased, but surprised. You grab Barnes, if you can.
He may just for the chance at more money, and because Adelman is here, but that is still no excuse not to try to grab Barnes. The guy would be a gem to have.
There shouldn't be any doubt Adelman like to play Bonzi at the SG to create the mismatch and I believe this is part of the reason Battier had so much trade rumors last month.. In an ideal world when Bonzi get back in shape and making contribution, Adelman might distribute minutes like this for the SG/SF position: SF: Battier-32 minutes, Tmac-16 minutes SG: Tmac 16 minutes, Bonzi 32 Battier might play 5-10 minutes at the PF spot depending on the matchup, that would open up some minutes at the SF/SG/PG spot..
Here's my question, why hasn't Cuban signed Barnes to a deal yet? Barne's was big part of that GSW last year, and taking a guy like him away just seem like sweet revenge to me.
I would love to surround Yao with athletic players in the 6'8" range who can get long rebounds out of the reach of Yao. Utah killed us with long rebounds by Boozer, Acrap, Dwill, etc... I love chucks hustle but he has no ups and cannot shoot to save his life. The four below could spread the court, play d, rebound, shoot the 3, and D up. Imagine Boozer or the other soft big that shoots 3's out at the 3 point line trying to check Barnes or Battier. Imagine a lineup of Yao/Hopefully not Mutombo who can score Tmac/Wells Mike James/Brooks Battier/Hayes/Reed Barnes/Reed/Novak
I don't think anything can atone for the chokefest Dallas put on in the playoffs outside of trading for Garnett.
Barnes is an interesting idea because it looks like he's being overlooked in the FA market due to his late development and his association with "Nellyball". Decent shooter that can handle the ball well. He could definitely help out offensively. One thing people need to realize though he is NOT a four. He could definitely help at the three but at the same time i'm sure he'll be seeking a starting role and that's not going to happen here. I still prefer Travis Outlaw over Barnes. It's not that I think Barnes is some overrated Don Nelson product or anything like some of you. I just see Outlaw as easily one of the most athletic players in the league with the smarts and versatility to make an impact at multiple positions. Upside off the charts and he's only 22-years-old and been in the league for four years already. He's got the age of a rookie with four years of NBA experience.
I like Outlaw better, too. I don't think he's a FA though. Long, tall, athletic guys are what we need. Get 'em both if you can.
I like Outlaw as well, but Barnes is out there, waiting for a decent deal. Someone we can actually get.
