I just play hard.
— Matt Barnes
I realize that I'm one of those guys that if I'm not with you, you hate me. But when I'm with you, you understand who I am and what I'm about and love me.
When you're going through a divorce it's hard.
Where I came from, my upbringing, the ups and downs it took to get my career started, when I made it, I played every game like it was my last game.
I think social media is a double-edged sword for athletes and celebrities. I think sometimes it's the worst thing. It gives people who are kind of cowardly the opportunity to kind of take an open shot at you or your family and say the craziest, most outrageous thing that they can think of, knowing that they would never say that to your face.
I think what I came from and what I saw molded me into a certain person. Nothing was ever wrapped or a silver spoon, so I don't think I would know how to live and I don't think I'd want to live if it wasn't a grind.
Fatherhood is the best thing that ever happened to me.
I've traveled the world, made a lot of money, met a lot of amazing people.
If I look at a ref funny, I'm getting a tech. If I say anything wrong on the street, it's on Worldstar or TMZ.
Yeah, I'm doing some stuff behind the camera. Producing and directing. I feel like my face has been on TV enough in my lifetime that people don't need to see me like that anymore.
This social media era is giving us a more in-depth look at our favorite people, and it's all aspects, from music to movies to television to sports. I think it has been somewhat of a distraction at times, but also a huge benefit.
Overall, Twitter has been a great tool for myself and my family as far as promoting our charity and the events we do and really just kind of interacting with our fans. But it can be in the negative form, and guys have to be careful.
There's so much that goes into being a pro athlete that people have no idea about.
I'm a role player, a journeyman. I know who I am.
With 2Pac you can't go wrong.
Refs need to get over themselves.
The NBA never wanted to use me to market their work even though I have a huge following and lots of fans. I was the bad guy to them.
I respect all my opponents, but I fear no one.
I'm a competitor.
I really feel blessed to be in a position I am, to even have an opportunity to play in the league.
I was one of those guys that really had to fight to make it in this league. Early on, I really had to do whatever it took, whether it be fight, rough people up, to make the team. I looked at it as it's either me or them - and it was going to be me.
I've never had a huge contract.
If I had to say how much I've paid in fines over my career, I'm sure it's over $500,000, going toward $1 million.
Co-parenting is probably the toughest situation that I've had to deal with because my ex and I really just don't get along. So, at the end of the day, I would tell any parents listening that once you're separated from your significant other - the father of your children, the mother of your children - the most important thing is the kids' happiness.
I was blessed to play 15 years, especially not even supposed to have made it. So, to be able to play 15 years, win a championship, I think that basketball chapter of my life is done.
I'm a target on and off the court. I've done some things I regret. But being a target is rough.
I'm all for a great fan environment to cheer us if we're home and boo us if we're the opposing team. But some fans are over the line with the stuff they say, the stuff they do.
Anytime that your name is up in a trade, I'm sure it can affect you mentally, and that obviously carries over to the court.
I kind of have a bad-guy reputation.
People don't realize that everyone in the NBA is really good. The difference is having a coach that believes in you.
I'm listening to 2Pac the whole time. While I'm getting treatment, while I'm stretching, I'm listening to music.
It's a business when the NBA cuts you, trades you or waives you. But you're a villain, as a player, when you take your future and your happiness in your own hands and it's unfortunate.
Some guys didn't have fathers. Some guys grew up with great dads but the weight of fatherhood shifts onto their shoulders because they make millions now. Some guys are away from their kids or divorced. I'm letting them all know they aren't alone when it comes to fatherhood issues and to encourage them to make time for their kids.
The league feels like it's their job to protect the referees more than the players.
I'm a football player playing basketball.
There's no nightlife in Utah.
I was the bad guy, the NBA bad guy.
I don't have friends when I'm on the court, besides my team.
I just think that my road has been so difficult to get where I'm at that I don't take anything for granted.
Good TV is not about people being happy; it's drama.
I've learned that everything is a slow process in the TV and movie industry.
Everybody is looking for me to fail.
Everything I do is major news.
It's tough to stay focused and be able to separate life from our job. We are paid to perform, and we are performers. You gotta have good brothers to lean on.
Athletes vs Cancer is a foundation that I started in 2008 after I lost my mom to cancer in 2007, and our goal is early detection, preventative screening and just really spreading knowledge about the cancer disease.
I think people on Twitter know that I'm real and I speak from the heart most of the time, and sometimes I'm going to make a mistake.
I hated Mo Cheeks.
It's us against the world when you step out on that court.
I mean, don't get me wrong, being ref is a very tough job - managing 10 of the best athletes in the world. At the same time, I think there is way too much ego from their standpoint.
I always wanted to do NBA Cares but they didn't want me to represent the league. I just did Matt Cares instead. I went to Africa by myself to do camps and clinics.
