Barnes Sees Rings in Phoenix's Future <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Matt Barnes was anticipating nothing but great things at this time a year ago. He was coming off a superb playoff run with the Golden State Warriors, and the vagabond forward felt he finally was within reach of finding a long-term home. A few months later, with the season getting under way, his world collapsed. His 52-year-old mother, Ann, died of cancer, and Barnes went through a difficult 2007-08 campaign. The free-agent forward, 28, signed a one-year deal with the Suns on Tuesday, and he hopes new surroundings and a fresh start with his sixth NBA team will re-energize his career. He signed for $1.2 million, but the Suns are responsible for only $797,000, with the rest coming from a league fund. Suns General Manager Steve Kerr said he sympathized with the difficult circumstances surrounding Barnes. He said that, along with his willingness to turn down more money elsewhere because of his desire to play in Phoenix, shows a lot about his character. Despite having only a one-year deal, Barnes is confident that things will work out, adding he can see himself finishing his career with the Suns and "winning a few titles." "I've always been hungry, because my career has been a one-year deal," he said. "When I'm out there, I'm going to play 100 percent, no matter what." Barnes is valued as a versatile player on both ends of the court. He's known for being able to get under an opponent's skin, which he considers part of his job description. "Anything I can do to mentally distract somebody, kind of take away their focus from what they need to do, is a good job," he said.</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dark Defender @ Jul 27 2008, 03:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm very curious to see how they do with a full season of Shaq.</div> I'm very curious to see if Shaq can play a full season.
You mean the style of play that left with D'Antoni? I think I'm more interested to see how they will do without D'Antoni.
