The NBA carousel continues to go round and round. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Memphis Grizzlies have reportedly picked up Matt Barnes from the Charlotte Hornets for veteran guard Luke Ridnour. Barnes landed in Charlotte temporarily after the Clippers shed him to bring in Lance Stephenson.
Barnes is the quintessential Grizzly. He’s a tough, hard-nosed defender who doesn’t mind sacrificing his body to prevent a bucket. But, unlike the Memphis teams of yore, he can actually swish shots from deep at a decent clip. His shooting should provide great value for a Grizzlies squad starving from beyond the arc.
Between Zach Randolph and Barnes, the Grizzlies are guaranteed to get into several kerfuffles with opposing teams next year. If the Grizzlies and Clippers face off in the postseason for the umpteenth time, I’m not sure anyone leaves alive. A rivalry featuring Chris Paul, Lance Stephenson, Blake Griffin, Zach Randolph and Matt Barnes should make for great theater.
Memphis is a fitting place for Barnes to end his career as he careens into his late 30s (he turned 35 in March). You can be sure his play will quickly endear him to the Grizzlies fan base.
(ESPN)
