I hate seeing this guy tear it up for Golden State. Didn`t he really want to play for us but Billy King didn`t think he was good enough? From what I remember, the guy was a solid bench player for us...
Matt Barnes has said in a bunch of interviews that he was disrespected by Maurice Cheeks in Philadelphia.
Matt Barnes was quoted as saying Maurice Cheeks is the biggest a**hole he has ever known, and would repeatable degraded him in practice and insult his man hood. He also said teammates encouraged him to respond to Cheeks, and that he hated being in Philadelphia. This is a far cry from the Maurice Cheeks everyone else has come to know as a "players coach" wonder how much truth there is to it.
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Matt Barnes was quoted as saying Maurice Cheeks is the biggest a**hole he has ever known, and would repeatable degraded him in practice and insult his man hood. He also said teammates encouraged him to respond to Cheeks, and that he hated being in Philadelphia. This is a far cry from the Maurice Cheeks everyone else has come to know as a "players coach" wonder how much truth there is to it.</div> Are you serious? Maurice Cheeks said that? That just doesn't make sense. Like you said, I wonder how much truth there is to it. Cheeks just does not seem like the type of person to do something like that. But who knows? Didn't Allen Iverson say he had problems with Cheeks as well? Maybe the guy isn't really what he appears to be.... If that is indeed true, then I'm really surprised. Maurice Cheeks, like you've mentioned, has always been known as a good, friendly guy, and a players' coach
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Are you serious? Maurice Cheeks said that? That just doesn't make sense. Like you said, I wonder how much truth there is to it. Cheeks just does not seem like the type of person to do something like that. But who knows? Didn't Allen Iverson say he had problems with Cheeks as well? Maybe the guy isn't really what he appears to be.... If that is indeed true, then I'm really surprised. Maurice Cheeks, like you've mentioned, has always been known as a good, friendly guy, and a players' coach</div> One Source
Some players respond to that type of coaching, but a good "players' coach" will understand that different players get motivated in different ways. Sounds like Cheeks hasn't figured that out yet.
If I remember correctly, Matt Barnes came over from the Chris Webber trade, right? He barely got any playing time under Jim O'Brien either. Plus, he got cut by the Knicks this season, I believe. Maybe he's just a great fit in Golden State's system
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If I remember correctly, Matt Barnes came over from the Chris Webber trade, right? He barely got any playing time under Jim O'Brien either. Plus, he got cut by the Knicks this season, I believe. Maybe he's just a great fit in Golden State's system</div> He actually played extremely well for the Knicks when he was given playing time. However, he went over there during the Larry Brown year, so his playing time was erratic. We resigned him after he left the Knicks with a promise of playing time and it never happened, maybe now we finally know why.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Some players respond to that type of coaching, but a good "players' coach" will understand that different players get motivated in different ways. Sounds like Cheeks hasn't figured that out yet.</div> True, but Barnes handles being yelled at just fine. Nellie lets Barnes have it the worst of anyone on Golden State during timeouts because he knows that Barnes will respond. Barnes really loves Nellie too and he knows how different coaches coach since hes been around several teams. Cheeks is probably a legit a-hole or maybe he treated Barnes like crap because he was just a scrub back then. Barnes' improved play can be attributed to his time in Philadelphia though. Hes always been scrappy, a good rebounder, solid ball handler, etc. but in Philly he devoted all of his practice time to practicing his jumpshot since he never actually got to play. Now that hes a good shooter hes much more of a force on the court. He then went to GS where he fits in great with his attitude, athleticism, and ability to rebound and defend on bigger players. Now hes due for a fat contract this offseason.
