L.A. Clippers' small forward, Matt Barnes, has had a tough time gaining a foothold in the NBA. In the past, he has signed with many different teams and spent a fair amount of time in the NBA's Development League. Now, however, he his performing with the best of them, and his stats are ever improving. Recent reports suggest Barnes is pretty ticked at the NBA for issuing him a $25,000 fine, and even that the league stole his kid's Christmas.
The 34-year-old baller originally reigns from Santa Clara, California. Before the NBA, Barnes played four years of college ball for UCLA. Then Matt was drafted 46th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2002 NBA Draft.
After that, a cavalcade of trades, cuts, promotions and demotions occurred. He has technically been with 12 different teams since he was drafted. Most recently, though, he has called Los Angeles his home.
From 2010-2012 he played with the Lakers; in September of 2012 he signed on with the Clippers as a free agent.
Since the Clippers have locked Barnes into a multi-year contract, and based on the way he's been playing recently, they made a good call. According to Rotoworld, Barnes' recent stats and percentages are impressive:
"Matt Barnes scored 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting (including three triples) with two rebounds, three assists and one steal over 24 minutes in Monday's blowout win over the Pistons. Barnes is on a roll with top-50 value over the last two weeks, averaging 14.5 points with 2.2 treys, 1.7 combined steals and blocks, 53.2 percent field goal shooting and 88.9 percent shooting from the line."
Barnes has also made the news recently for allowing his temper to get the best of him. Apparently, he kicked a water bottle into the stands and curse at a fan. The NBA then issued a $25,000 fine for the outbreak, and, according to TMZ Sports, Matt Barnes isn't handling his punishment too well:
"Matt Barnes' kids are getting socks and underwear for Christmas this year...and the Los Angeles Clippers baller says they can blame the NBA for it. Barnes was still fuming Sunday night over his fine from the league this week...$25,000 for kicking a water bottle (the league says it's also for cursing at a fan)...he thinks the league came down so hard on him...Barnes is making more than $3 mil this year...so he better not cheap out on his kids!"
What do you think? Is Barnes being overly dramatic? Or, is the NBA being too harsh? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.
