Matt Barnes: Kobe sold me on Lakers

by SakeBomb on Jul 28, 2010 4:44 AM PDT

When Matt Barnes first texted Kobe Bryant about the possibility of joining the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant surprised him by immediately texting back with emphatic encouragement.

Several dozen texts later, Barnes decided he could postpone his pursuit of a long-term NBA contract to aid Kobe's chase for yet another championship.

"He said, ‘Anyone crazy enough to mess with me is crazy enough to play with me,"' Barnes said with a laugh.

Barnes formally agreed to a one-year, $1.7 million deal with the Lakers on Tuesday, holding up his gold No. 9 jersey at their training complex.

"It's been a dream of mine since I was a young kid watching basketball to play with one of the best players ever in the game," Barnes said.

But after Bryant's pursuit of Raja Bell(notes) fell through when the rugged defender signed with Utah, Bryant went after Barnes, who earned his respect as a tough defender for the past several years while playing for every other team in the Pacific Division.

Bell and Barnes share a characteristic prized by Bryant: They've stood up to the two-time NBA finals MVP, not caring about his rings or his scoring prowess.

"(Bryant) just respects the people that compete the hardest," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said. "He's not really in a popularity contest to make friends. He wants people beside him that compete and earn his respect. ... I think it was a conscious effort to get tougher."

Barnes has been impressed by Bryant's work ethic ever since he saw Bryant's left-handed workouts at Pauley Pavilion several years ago while Kobe had an injured right hand.

Emphasis added.

Read the rest of the article here.

OT Lakers' notes:

Kupchak also said he has "a good feeling" about re-signing high-flying guard Shannon Brown(notes) for the final roster spot, expecting a resolution to the negotiations in the next 7-10 days.

Second-round draft picks Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter also have a shot to make the roster in training camp after performing well in summer-league ball, particularly if Luke Walton's injured back doesn't heal.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Barnes

He would have been a classic Ben Ball Warrior. Really excited to see him in a Lakers uniform.

by Nestor on Jul 28, 2010 7:05 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

and he might be one now

I hope he will be a regular fixture at the men’s gym and in the coaches office during off season. I hope he shares his NBA experiences with our current crop of Bballers. And, by that I mean he encourages them to stay in school and work on their game.

The best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Jul 28, 2010 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions

Really liked Matt in the introduction video at the link.

He looks great and sounds great (as usual), such a smart dude. Some really great info in the video. I especially liked “Just like playing at UCLA was a dream of mine, so is being a Laker.”

Go Bruins!

by uclaluv on Jul 28, 2010 7:39 AM PDT reply actions