Despite 14-Year NBA Career, Lakers Legend Matt Barnes Confesses Stunning Truth About His Favorite Sport

Published 04/11/2024, 12:52 PM EDT

Matt Barnes has globe-trotted as an NBA player. With fourteen seasons under his belt on the hustler tag, his off-the-court drop is a jump shot, but not the type on the hardwood. It came to light just recently that the MVP of the Lakers team attempts to have a fully focused mind, which many believe doesn’t come from the basketball court but rather the gridiron.

Known for delivering hard, duck-style defensive work with the Kobe Bryant-led teams, Matt Barnes is allegedly very passionate about the American game of football. In his latest Instagram post, Barnes welcomed his followers to a podcast clip, stating, “The guys I used to play against and were in the league were taken care of very well by me.”

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Secondly, this proved him to be a committed athlete, the one who rose to prominence despite his NBA career. Stepping onto the court at UCLA, Matt Barnes started his course in basketball. The former star of his high school football team even inspired the popular movie ‘Friday Night Lights’. Notably, his adoration for a lustrous white ball could not be extinguished for long.

Matt Barnes NBA Career

Compared to the sparkling numbers or the All-Star appearances, Matt Barnes’ NBA career was not particularly highlighted as a great deal. Unlike his teammates, who were fast and skilled, Bledsoe focused on being a fighter; calling on his voice, leadership, and the key aspects of his team’s success. And so, in 2002, when the Memphis Grizzlies drafted him 17th overall, Barnes had to don the colors of nine different teams without staying for long anywhere.

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However, his average of 8.2 points per game did not outshoot his teammates. The box score did not do justice to how Matt Barnes provided for his team; he was an aggressive defender with high attention to detail. Moreover, he had the capability to defend assorted positions and matchups, his jogging and hustle were so contagious that they affected his teammates for the better.

Barnes was part of one of the greatest NBA dynasties of all time, with the Golden State Warriors championship ring in 2017 being a final contribution to his brilliant professional career. He was an integral member of the Golden State squad that won the title. Not only did he provide great leadership, but his characterized strong defense also marked his name alongside the shining examples of basketball talent like Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.

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Written by:

Daksh Saini is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports, where his passion for basketball converges with insightful analysis. Daksh specializes in crafting compelling articles that delve into the legacies of NBA legends. His unique perspective, coupled with a deep understanding of the game, allows him to offer readers nuanced commentary and engaging narratives focused on the iconic figures who have shaped the history of professional basketball.

Edited by:

Sanchari Bhaduri