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.
Matt Barnes
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 look at my team as my family and I will do anything for my family.
I hated Mo Cheeks.
I play basketball hard-nosed and if you're not on my team, during that 48 minutes we're enemies.
Fatherhood is the best thing that ever happened to me.
In order to win a championship, you've got to be consistent.
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.
I've never had a huge contract.
There's so much that goes into being a pro athlete that people have no idea about.
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.
We can't beat any team by ourselves.
The league feels like it's their job to protect the referees more than the players.
Until you get that championship, nobody's good enough.
I love to be physical.
You can't take a night off in the NBA.
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.
Ever since I lost my mom, I'm really just trying to give back. At first, we were doing screenings and paying for surgeries, but now I've been fortunate enough to team with UCLA, and we're creating a scholarship program for kids who beat cancer.
It comes with experience and learning and knowing the game. It's not necessarily about sticking your chest out and saying, 'I'm tough.'
My mom was my rock, my confidant and my best friend. She was an elementary school teacher who worked with students with disabilities and she lived every day giving back to her family and her community.
To win a championship, you need to win on the road.
I started Athletes vs Cancer as a way to honor my mother, but now giving back has become a part of who I am, and more importantly, this is a key value I hope to pass on to my own sons.
I still miss my mom every day, but when I see the smiles on the faces of the people that I help I know I am honoring her legacy.
I've traveled the world, made a lot of money, met a lot of amazing people.
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.
There's no nightlife in Utah.
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.
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.
I don't have friends when I'm on the court, besides my team.
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.
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.
I'm a role player, a journeyman. I know who I am.
Once I stopped playing I didn't have the urge or drive to play again.
Even though the city of Memphis and this organization has welcomed me with open arms, I play every game like it's my last. Play as hard as I possibly can. Been no different my whole career.
I've been playing in L.A. for a long time through college and pros, just to be ready. It's different out here.
I like being the hated one.
I just think, obviously as players, we're held to a higher standard. I've had to watch myself on that, but I think if we're held to higher standards, the owners should be held to even higher standards.
I was playing tackle football in the street at five years old. Always being physical. Always being tough, just like a man's man. It was just always about being tough.
I wear my heart on my sleeve.
I was one of those guys who wasn't supposed to make it in this league.
I am very excited about playing for Mr. Ballmer.
Being traded and moving teams, it's difficult, especially when you have families.
You're never prepared to lose anybody in your family.
I mean, this is basketball, you have a lot of different teammates and you move around a lot, to find true friends is something special.
You only get one mom.
I'm an aggressive player. I always have been.
You have to stay locked in. You're so locked in on guarding your guy you figure when the ball goes up the bigs are going to get it. But the possessions not over until you get the rebound.
It starts on the defensive end, but it's also just the ball movement and holding everyone accountable.
I think there are things you can do to toughen yourself up.
Having kids, any time you can help kids, it's something that's close to my heart.
