Matt Barnes wants all the smoke.
“Love me or hate me, I did it my way!” — Matt Barnes.
Matt Barnes has been known as someone who never backs down from anyone on the court, even off the court. He’s that type of player who you love to have on your team, but hate playing against. For many years, Barnes has been ‘misunderstood’, and portrayed poorly by the media. On the court, he was crazy enough to mess with Kobe Bryant, which eventually led to the two becoming teammates/brothers later on. Off the court; his personal life is not anybody’s business, but this guy once drove 95 miles in the middle of season to ‘beat the s — — out’ of Derek Fisher, over Barnes’ ex-wife. Legendary stuff.
Fearless, toughness, and realness. Matt Barnes has always played the game with passion and intensity. That’s how he was able to last in the NBA for 15 years and got himself a championship ring with the Golden State Warriors in 2017, a year before Barnes announced his retirement from the NBA.
Post NBA-career, Barnes devotes his time to working with his foundation, Athletes vs. Cancer that has paid for surgeries, medication and burials for cancer victims, in honor of his mother, Ann Catherine Barnes, who passed away in 2007. Barnes also teamed up with UCLA, where he attended from 1998–2002, to help provide scholarships for young cancer survivors who want to go to college. Moreover, Barnes has done an excellent job at parenting. From surprising his twins sons’ birthday with a Kobe Bryant practice to coaching their basketball team from the hallway after ejected, Matt Barnes is a recipient of 2019 The Honorable Stanley Seiderman National Father of the Year. But the media never showed any of this, because the narrative of Barnes being a villain sells. Like Barnes said it himself: “Once you’re painted as a bad guy in the NBA, that’s what you are.”
In the media, Matt Barnes is co-hosting ‘All The Smoke’ podcast with another former NBA player, Stephen Jackson. ‘All The Smoke’ is a raw, uncut podcast from two of the most controversial dudes that speak from full experience, keep it authentic with the stories from struggle to success and everything in between. The podcast has featured guests appearances from J.R Smith, Lou Williams, Stephen A. Smith, Stephen Curry, Cari Champion, Kevin Durant, and the late Kobe Bryant, etc.. The podcast gives the players a platform to say what the media won’t let them say. An absolutely must listen for basketball junkies!
Additionally, Matt Barnes often makes appearances on different ESPN segments as an analyst that actually provides deep insightful comments, and properly breaks down the game instead of being a ‘media personality’. He is one of the few, if not the realest on TV without agenda or ulterior motives.
Barnes’ work in the media goes far and beyond. After years of being a victim by the media, he now has the ability to apply pressure and keep it in check. Barnes brings the same energy and that ‘dog mentality’ from his playing days to the media world, he isn’t afraid to call out these so-called “analysts” to put them back in their places. A real one is finally in the space, Matt Barnes is on a mission to take down these clowns in the media, and I’m here for it.
The basketball media needs more people like Matt Barnes, respect to him for holding the media accountable and keeping it real. Hopefully this will inspire other former athletes in the media to do the same.