After a sparkling performance against the Dallas Mavericks this past Sunday the Golden State Warriors have attained a 3-1 lead in the opening round of the NBA playoffs. The best of seven series moves to Texas tonight and if Dallas loses then Mark Cuban’s franchise will be left wondering why they could not defend there Western Conference Championship and make good on being the prohibitive favorite to win this year’s Lawrence O’Brien trophy as NBA Champs. Despite the fact Dallas had the fifth best winning percentage in NBA history at 67-15 during the regular season and home court throughout the playoffs, the Mavericks have been out-poised, outplayed, out-hustled, and out-hearted by a team making there first playoff entry in twelve years.
One of the players responsible for Golden State’s impressive run in the playoffs is Matt Barnes, the third year pro out of UCLA who has thrived under “Nellie” and is posting career highs in all statistical categories. More importantly Matt Barnes has played every position from 1 to 5 both offensively and defensively. The intangibles Barnes has provided are beyond statistics and his leadership for the one of the NBA’s youngest teams is most noteworthy. It was Barnes in Game 4 who fearlessly bombed home a 3-point field goal with 23.9 seconds on the clock closing out the Mavericks and sending the gold-clad Oracle Arena fans into a certified frenzy!
I have had the privilege of watching the development of Matt Barnes since he was a freshman in High School because his high school team played in the same league I coached in Sacramento, California. I also had the honor of coaching Barnes in the Sacramento Pro Developmental League a professional summer league held in Sacramento and I have watched him tirelessly work on his perimeter shooting and ball-handling skills. Both Barnes and this year’s runner-up for Most Improved Player, the Sacramento Kings Kevin Martin, each played all summer under the watchful eye of Sacramento Pro Deve
34 Comments
Eric, good get. I met Barnes at Chris Webber’s Bada Bling when he was a member of the Sixers. He was really upset that they didn’t give him any playing time. I’m proud that he flipped that negative into such a successful season. He is a huge part of the Warriors success.
Thanks Eric! As a hoop fan on the East Coast these playoffs are killing me because all of the late games have been amazing so I haven’t been able to turn off the set. Tonight I’m stoked to see Barnes and his teammates oust the Mavericks from the playoffs and this interview was just the “boost” I needed to ensure I didn’t fall asleep after the Raps/Nets game tonight. However, when my alarm rudely wakes me up tomorrow morning after just five hours of sleep I’ll be cussing you out under my breath buddy
The part about him considering the NFL was a huge scoop and not something I was aware of. Warriors fans must be ecstatic that he decided to stick with hoops because he’s a huge part of their playoff run (as shown by the three he drilled with 23.9 seconds left in game four to secure the win for Golden State).
Thanks again for putting the leg work into securing this interview and getting it online before tip off tonight!
Thanks for that Eric and Ryan for putting it up, great interview. The whole Mo Cheeks thing sheds some light on his end huh?
Ah one thing you could’ve asked: how does one get such a nice ‘mohawk cut?
Thanks for the comments brethren…As for the Matt Mohawk that was at the top of my question list and after I started interviewing Matt I was captivated with his honesty and forthrightness and plain forgot. I called him after we finished the interview for the Mohawk hairstyle, yet the phone was turned due to the pre-game nap. I will follow-up with Matt for the roots of the Mohawk and post it ASAP! Again, thanks for the reviews.
“Mo Cheeks Beatdown” - good name for a fantasy team?
Interesting stuff–nice work.
Seriously, does anyone from Sacramento not realize that Gus is an imposter? I know the Bee loves to give him credit for everyone, but Barnes went to Buzz Braman to learn to shoot after he had spent 7-8 years with Gus and still couldn’t shoot. And, Gus is going to have to fight David Thorpe for credit on K-Mart’s development.
The Bee loves to pump Gus, like last year when Marty McNeal talked about Gerry McNamara coming to train with him. But, it never says anything when G-Mac doesn’t get drafted, goes to Europe and doesn’t play at all and ends up coming off the bench in the D-League.
I was out with a Sacramento HS coach last night and we laughed that the inevitable Jameel Pugh story is up coming in the Bee. Every year, the Bee writes about Pugh working with Gus. Every year, the article says he only needs a consistent jump shot to make the League. And, every year, he fails to develop a jumper. Maybe he’s lazy. I don’t know. But, they’ve written the same article for five straight years.
Eric-
Awesome interview! I love it when dudes open up like Beta Dog did and really get into various NBA experiences. The info about Mo Cheeks - damn!…
To everyone:
I’ll argue with no one about who is responsible for Kevin’s development. I don’t know Gus, but if he has been most responsible for Kevin’s incredible progress, then I think that’s great. It’s not about me, but about the player and his improvement. I hope Gus continues to work with young players, Kevin and Matt included, for years to come.
Coach Thorpe
Greetings David,
Your comments are greatly appreciated. The fact you take a humble/neutral position is a subtle insight on why you are very successful.
Great interview, I like this guy even more now. Thanks!
Philly is cursed…
B, iam not fighting for anything, all we do is help players get better.Coach Thorpe and i work with lots of players we dont need credit do you?Ask the players i work with about what i do.Kmart is part of what we do every summer help players get better.
B,
Guss Armstead is anything but an impostor. I have known Gus for over a decade and personally know the dedication he provides players for there improvement each and every year. The core of this article was on Matt Barnes yet challenging one’s legitimacy is baseless. I could easily write a story on Guss and attain player testimony that my large readership would thoroughly enjoy. The NBA list of player’s, front office personnel, and agents would resemble a who’s who of NBA stalwarts.
Don’t believe me…Check it out!!!
http://www.tothehoop.com
B–The article is about Matt Barnes. When I signed Matt, I told him all he needed to do was work on his shooting and he would be a huge success. So, you know what Matt did. He worked on his shooting night and day, day and night. And Guss helped him, as did Buzz Braman. No one is taking credit for Matt Barnes’s success except Matt Barnes. He did it! Guss Armstead is a helper. He helps put people in position to succeed, as apparently does Coach Thorpe with Kevin Martin. The players deserve the credit. B, I am sorry you are jealous but Guss Armstead helps me with all my players and he does a great job. As for GMac, unfortunately, Gerry could only spend 4 days with Guss because of workouts. Injuries prevented Gerry from being drafted. As for not starting in the D League, check your facts again. He started the majority of the games he played there. Now that Gerry is healthy, which is why we sent him to a situation in Greece, we shall see how he does. But not for a minute should a coach take credit for a player. Matt Barnes has done it and he has done it so well. I am so happy that people like Guss Armstead are around to help him in anything he needs. B, I hope you can find good players, approach this business positively like Guss and you may have the success Guss has had. Bill Neff
B…Leave the HATORADE ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guss gets it done day in and day out. Maybe you should come to the gym and take notes. Players like Matt, Bobby Jackson, Mike Wilkes, Kevin Martin and a list of other successful players come to Sac just to work with Guss as his reputation speaks for itself! I find it hard to believe anyone in the basketball business would look at him as an imposter. It is comments like the ones you made that don’t allow people to collabarate and provide a positive environment for todays young players. Guss has been called the GURU for years and there is reason for it….HATORADE TAKES AWAY GATORADE REPLENISHES!!!!
The Warriors advance…Matt Barnes scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds cementing the Warriors 2006-2007 team a place in NBA history …
WOW Another Great article thank you, for your insight and perspective. You offered a pragmatic approach and a voice of reason in your Inaugural Mock Draft article. Strong opinion backed up with reasonable facts makes for compelling reading in your Matt Barns article.
I’m afraid, your tenacious research and candid insights have spoiled me for life. As good as your peers may be I don’t see any of them offering the level of excellence that I have consistently seen when viewing your articles, blogs…. I always appreciated the fact that you provided an honest evaluation of what you viewed and perceived… I cannot believe the way some of the people responded to your articles, blogs…
I am looking forward to the next master piece
Hey if it makes you feel better to knock a great guy like Guss down then go ahead. I work out with Guss every summer so I know what goes on in the gym , who is there, and who does what and how hard people go. Everyone who goes there works hard because they are grateful for the gift they wre given to play basketball professionally. And if you were to ask Guss he would never even “take credit” for helping any of us get better because he isn’t about that. But I will say this: All of us who come out of there become better people for just working out with Guss. He motivates you to want to get better not only as a player but a person. B, I think you are mad because if there were more people like Guss in the world there would be less people like you. He has helped alot of us in our goals to play pro ball and support our families. He teaches us it’s not WHERE you are (NBA, NBADL, overseas) it’s WHO you are. When we walk into the gym, we are all equals, no one gets more calls or attention then the next guy and we all benefit from the team atmosphere there. We leave our egos at the door. Even IF Guss were the worst basketball instructor in the world (which he isn’t by any means) he is a great guy, role model, and leader which many of us look up to. His responsibilities are many, but his thanks are few. So I want to say thanks to him. Not because he would even want me (or any of us) to, but because he deserves it.
B
For some reason you have a problem with Guss when nobody else does. Guss is more than a trainer and for those who know and respect him as a real human (not as and imposter. Guss is like a father to all that walks through the gym door, he is a remarkable person who helps young men and women become adults. Guss has helped me and others in basketball but also how to be a postive role model for our youth today. Guss has a gift that many only wish they had that is why people like yourself have bad things to say about someone you dont even know. If there was just one more Guss around we would be lucky, I speak for others also when I say this that we are lucky to have the one and only Guss Armstead in Sacramento.
B- My suggestion to you, is that you make a formal apology to Guss Armstead. I don’t know you from a hole in the ground, but neither do you know Guss. Guss, is a wonderful husband, and a father to 4 wonderful children. Additionally, Guss is a pastor and selflessly gives to his congregation. I know this because I am the Executive Pastor at the church where he serves. Moreover, Guss, treats his clients with the same selfless attitude that he extends to the people of his congregation. His clients, both male and female, love him because he thinks of them before he thinks of himself. I know this, because Guss has allowed me the privilege of assisting him with some of his workouts and coaching one of his high school level girls teams. As DJ said, Guss doesn’t just make kids into better players, he makes them into better people. And as Eric said, the list of players that he has helped, reads as a veritable who’s who, of college, and professional, male and female players. Never scream, when you should remain silent. Your assertions were baseless. Please consider an apology.
To attack the credibility of a positive individual is weak! I do not know the extent of the relationship of Gus Armstead and Matt Barnes, but using my 15 year professional relationship as an example, I know that Gus would have had a positive impact on Mr. Barnes.
First and foremost the credit belongs to Mr. Barnes. We all have a gift! We all have a gift that we are blessed with from day one. 90% of us never find that gift. Only about 8% of us find that gift. About 2% of us are able to walk out that gift. If you are one of the 2% that do, you are able to impact the world in a positive way.
Tearing down is sometimes necessary, but only when rebuilding something better. Gus helps to build better. Better Players. Better Men. Better Christians. Ask yourself what you are building? Not only what you are attempting to discredit or tear down! Keep doing what you do Mr. Armstead.
Leaders-Lead! Haters-Hate! Only one makes a real difference. Which one are You?
I am going to be a little less professional in my thoughts after reading the comments about my brother Gus. Gus is a good christian man who represents all that is right with how a black man should carry himself. However I, am still struggling in my approach to be “like Guss”, which brings me to this, HOW IN THE HELL could you beat a brother down like that, those comments were BS my man. I have worked with numereous players who happen to just be in a league called the NBA, I have scouted a lot of players that Guss and Bill Neff are PERSONALLY responsible for. Even though Guss will not take credit for Matt or any of the many playerS HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR, I will tell you Hell yes Guss has alot to do with Matt being where he is, and the thing you do not understand that Matt was always physically ready to play in the league, but was not going to get there until he changed his mental approach to the game my man. That is where Guss Armstead, Bill Neff, ABA Coach Earl Cureton had an effect on Matt teaching him how to be a pro. You are entitled to your opinion, but it is totally wrong and you know it. I think I know something about this situation, I worked scouted for the team who drafted Matt Barnes in that league they call the NBA.
Did anyone get Mo Cheeks’ version of what went down with Matt Barnes? Seems a little one-sided to me…Mo Cheeks was one of the more mentally tough players in the league during his era. Does anyone think that Matt Barnes was maybe not used to being NOT coddled? I mean - this is the NBA!!! Let’s not be quick to pin his issues all on Cheeks.
I think Matt Barnes has great potential to become an basketball star. He is fast, quick, and agile when he shoots and passes. I love how he passes the ball to his teammates, tricking the opponent into thinking he was bringing the ball to him with the hoop. Matt Barnes has the perfect basketball player body. At 6′7″, he is taller than most of his teammates yet muscular and fit. I love Matt Barnes and I wish him the best of luck in his career! I’m so glad you didn’t switch to the NFL!!!
Gus, can all of us non-believers have an invite to a workout? I’d love to see you in action.
A follow up to the Matt Barnes story. Matt made a decision to fire his agent last week. I wonder if BLOG #6 had abything to do with that? I doubt it. Here is my problem, a lot of brothers in that league they call the NBA, have people in there backgrounds working their ass of to help them get there. They experience some success and then other agents get into their ears and reap the reward that should have been afforded to the people that were there when you had no damn where to go, and was thinking about quitting. Matt you can do whatever in the hell you want to do, but that was a totally dis-loyal move my young and impressionable brother. Question what in the hell did Fegan do that Neff or Guss didnt do in getting your ass in the NBA, because if my memory serves me correct. Fegan was nowhere in sight in the days I was in the gym in Sacramento. He was nowhere in sight when I scouted you at UCLA, he was nowhere in sight when the night I cursed your ass out in Provo, Utah and you took it like a man, but now when there is financial gain added to the equation, this dude shows up and you listen. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!! Matt there is something to be said for loyalty. You know what, there is something to be said for lack of loyalty as well. I guess you made your statement.
Somebody make sure Matt reads this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice post, bro. It’s too bad Barnes was dubbed the NBA’s biggest “flopper” by themelobackpedal. He’s going to get a nice contract in the offseason.
You ROCK Barnes!
he is so fine. i absolutely love matt barnes
Matt Barnes is da finest of all da Warriors!!!!i flippin LOVE him!!
matt barnes is wassup. He plays all of his positions very well, and I will never forget the dunk on Nowitzki(however you spell it)! hope you stay in the bay!!!!!!! Oh ya I think your cute!!!
Matt Barnes… plays so well and he is hella sexy… and so intelligent… and has a cute mohawk.
first off i LOVE matt barnes and im real happy he came to tha bay! He’s bomb at basketball and oh so fine especially w/ his mohawk. it pisses me off to kno that mo cheeks almost ended his career… but its wutever now cuz hes on tha warriors and to me one of the best ballers out there.Fa get tha haters…. dont care what any one says cuz bout matt barnes and ill always be his numba 1 fan!
Philly is getting slandered all over the NBA. I don’t see a great future for them. But my friend plays for them maybe he should think about leaving. I think they need to purge their staff.
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