Matt Barnes "Bitter" About Suns

[The Diesel]

Hey guys,

Matt Barnes spoke to the media about his time in Phoenix and admitted he misses being a member of the Suns and he took a shot at Terry Porter, pretty much saying Porter ruined the first half of the season.

Your thoughts on the article?

Remember the face that former Suns forward Matt Barnes made when a 3-point shot went in and out? It said, "Just missed it."

That expression would describe how he feels about watching the Suns winning and having fun while playing an uptempo style.

"I definitely miss being there," said Barnes, who signed with Orlando after Phoenix did not try to re-sign him. "I miss it when I see them scoring 120-something a night. That's what I thought I was going to do last year."


Barnes signed with the Suns in 2008 with hopes of playing a fast, open system to accentuate his talents and stats. Instead, he was as unhappy with then-coach Terry Porter's ways as any Suns player. He was outspoken about how Porter's system did not fit.

As happy he is for his friends, Barnes admits being "bitter" about the Suns' about-face regarding their style of play.

"It's frustrating, very frustrating," Barnes said. "Everybody's talking about this team being old and doesn't have it. It's the same team we had last year, and now they lead the league in scoring, shooting and 3-point percentage. That's what I thought I was going into."

Barnes landed on his feet - with a winner and for more money (a two-year, $3.2 million deal). He received his second start Wednesday.

"I thought Shaq (O'Neal) and Amaré (Stoudemire) got attention, but Dwight (Howard) gets all five guys trying to stop him," Barnes said.

Barnes is happy with how things turned out but wishes there had been interest from the Suns after he averaged career highs in points (10.2) and rebounds (5.5) with them.

"Some things were said and done, but then when it came down to it this summer, they showed absolutely no interest," Barnes said. "I'm a new guy, and we don't even make the playoffs. I can see from a business standpoint that I'm expendable.

"That first half of the season, with Porter trying to change everything, put a (damper) on my season and the team's. Getting Alvin (Gentry) back at the end was great. No disrespect to Porter, it was just the wrong coach and the wrong system."

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2009/11/04/20091104spt-sunsnb.html

It's amazing what the Porter hiring did to the 2008/2009 season...

[MaryvalesFinest]

Good article

Where are the Barnes haters now?

I hoped they could give him the midlevel for 5 years and than the Magic go and sign him for less than 2M per season? Wish the Suns could have signed him again...

[Sandra]

I always liked Barnes. The guy's a good player and fits the Suns perfectly. Unfortunately, we just have no room for another SF

[LV-Suns]

I was a fan in he beginning, when he started out strong. His inconsistency got way out of hand and he began making more bonehead plays than usual. Just completely lost it when he pretty much lost the Utah game for us. I for one, am glad he is no longer with the team. Now there is only one head-case on the team, J-Rich. I am more than happy with what Dudley brings to the table.

[WTFsunsFTW]

Always liked barnes. Would be fantastic if we could have moved tucker and used that money for Barnes.

[Never Fear 33 Is Here]

Never have been a fan and doubt I ever will be, I for two am glad he is no longer with us.

[DirtyDez]

Where are the Barnes haters now?

Right here

Never have been a fan and doubt I ever will be, I for two am glad he is no longer with us.

+1, his stupid shot selection for us late in games last year was so frustrating. He's the not reason we didn't make the playoffs but i guess that's what happens when you have a role player trying to take over. Dudley is so much better for our team. Although i do wish him well and i think he'll get a ring very soon.

[lilfishi22]

I liked Barnes. He had poor shot selection and sometimes tried to do too much with the ball, but I liked his versatility. He sorta filled out that Boris Diaw, point-forward, role. I thought his defense was underrated as well. It wasn't All-Defense or anything, but his hustle, length and tenacity really helped us on the perimeter.

I had hoped we could resign him, but knew it was very unlikely.

[alldayeveryday]

He is correct. The system wasn't for the correct players at that time. Now it is, and he isn't here. I rather see our bench play and then him take the minutes of lou/dragic/dudley/clark - e x p e n d a b l e

[TXSun]

i liked Barnes in PHX. things didn't work out, it is what it is.

[RaisingArizona]

He was frustrating to watch on a nightly basis, especially down the stretch and in his cold streaks. I'm actually glad he's gone.

[JohnVancouver]

I liked Barnes. He had poor shot selection and sometimes tried to do too much with the ball, but I liked his versatility. He sorta filled out that Boris Diaw, point-forward, role. I thought his defense was underrated as well. It wasn't All-Defense or anything, but his hustle, length and tenacity really helped us on the perimeter.

I had hoped we could resign him, but knew it was very unlikely.

+1
I had been a fan of the guy in GS and while his dumbass shot selection and inconsistency really drove me nuts, he had some great qualities as well. It did strike me at the time that players who had come to the Suns expecting to play SSOL must have been choked to see Mike D go and then arrive at camp to find Porter.

I wish Matt well - he's a good guy but I would much rather we have the guys we have now

Interesting that while we got two Warriors, the one I really wanted here ended up in ORL - Pietrus

[grumpysaddle]

i like Barnes but he's a total knucklehead. the only thing i think the suns will really miss is his ability to get under people's skin and his no-B.S. toughness.

[statisback]

I didnt care for Barnes but compared to J Rich he is wonderful!