<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Some NBA players can job-shop without a r?sum?. The league's general managers know their names and their games the way they know their own payroll, with no need for sales pitches of "Here's what Ray Allen can do for you ... " And then there are players like Matt Barnes. For as much progress as the Del Campo High School product has made in his two seasons, and for as productive as his 43 games as a King were before he was sent to Philadelphia in the Chris Webber trade in February, the free agent still is a commodity in need of not only a job, but an explanation. So a few weeks back, Barnes' agent, Bill Neff, sent an e-mail to every general manager in the league, hoping to educate the masses as to what his guy could bring to the floor. It was a detailed comparison of Barnes to other youthful forwards, making a convincing argument Barnes could be as valuable as those players who make so much more money. Rebounds, assists and steals were prorated on a per-48-minutes basis, with Barnes looking every bit as productive as players like Chicago's Luol Deng, Dallas' Josh Howard or Charlotte's Gerald Wallace. "I think people were real surprised at how high he was in those categories," Neff said. "I wanted people to understand the essence of Matt." Below the blockbuster deals - i.e. Shaquille O'Neal's $100 million deal or Allen's for $85 million - are the negotiations that involve players still looking to secure their long-term future. Barnes merely is among the masses, with an immediate goal of becoming the next Bobby Simmons. The Milwaukee forward is the new poster boy for untapped potential, someone for young players not named LeBron to emulate.</div> Source
I hope we sign him. he was my Favorite King last year until he got traded. u guys remember there was 2 sec left in half n he threw it from inbounds off the defenders back n got fouled and the bucket. whatta memory.
