Unfiltered, uncensored, and unapologetic. That’s Matt Barnes’ brand. Contrary to his playing days, his persona is ruling the internet now. And if anyone doesn’t agree with him, he’s not losing sleep over it. During his first act, though, the spotlight on him was harsh, which may be why he’s developed thick skin. In his latest appearance on All The Smoke, Barnes was even comfortable with staying misunderstood.

“I don’t give a f**k,” Barnes declared to Stephen Jackson, his Warriors teammate. He admitted that the media and public pushed a certain ideal on both of them that they had to live up to. Peers and teammates accepted them as they were, and whether people had finally caught up with his authentic self or not, didn’t matter to him. “It’s never really mattered to me whether I’m understood or not”, he said, claiming how the people that matter to him don’t care about an ideal image.

Matt Barnes has built a dynamic persona in his post-NBA career, particularly through his show, All The Smoke with Jackson. Being unfiltered served him well on the platform and made him the most appealing NBA media personality currently. Somehow, the very same authenticity was not well-received when he was still playing.

De’Andre Jordan admitted he openly hated Barnes in his Lakers era. Chris Paul’s connection with Barnes is something out of an enemies-to-dynamic duo Buddy Cop movie trope. Why? He was a foul-happy menace, a gritty trash-talker, and a hot-headed brawler with a laundry list of fines and suspensions. He went from team to team, playing alongside powerhouses like Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Dwight Howard. His teammates (sometimes fans) both love and hate him each time.

Matt Barnes’ misunderstood life

Barnes is not oblivious to his rough-around-the-edges personality. He has no intention to change or hide it, and he even owns it now, which didn’t stop the unfair portrayal of his personality in the media.

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It was hardly classy to show him in a janitor’s uniform because he was the most underpaid player in the league. His tattoos were misunderstood as if he were the only inked baller. The racially-fueled assumptions he was subjected to should never have been as common as they were.

Rarely did anyone understand that his tough fighting instinct on the court came from a tougher childhood and difficult family background. Not much would be said about him being the first one to help when a teammate took a hit.

For all that was said and unsaid about Matt Barnes, it didn’t matter to him. From the NBA court to Showtime Basketball, he stepped out to work and have fun with his friends and he’s cool about that.

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