matt barnes Nov 27, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Former Golden State Warriors player Matt Barnes smiles before receiving his championship ring before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

After 14 NBA seasons, numerous technical fouls, one championship ring and several disturbing off-court incidents, Matt Barnes is ending his NBA career.

Barnes, who had not played this season after ending last year with the champion Warriors, posted a retirement announcement to Instagram on Monday, saying he would dress in sweatpants for business meetings, “make more money off the court than I made ON” and spend more time with his kids.

Barnes was certainly no superstar while suiting up for nine teams in 14 years, but he carved out a reputation as a great teammate and a dude you did not want to mess with. He often stood up for guys on his team, even when that meant he took the technical foul, the ejection or the fine that would otherwise have gone to someone else. He also instigated plenty of scuffles himself, such as when he chased Jon Henson into the opposing locker room to confront him.

Barnes might be best remembered for the time he drove 95 miles to beat up his former teammate Derek Fisher, who was dating his ex-wife.

Sometimes, Barnes’ antics crossed over from amusing or innocent to nefarious. In June, he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after an incident outside a night club, in which he allegedly grabbed a woman by the neck. He and former teammate DeMarcus Cousins are currently being sued over the run-in.

And so for the first time in a decade and a half, a full NBA season will proceed without Matt Barnes. With him gone, the league will be a little less violent, a little less erratic and maybe a little less interesting.

 

About Alex Putterman

Alex is a writer and editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. He has written for The Atlantic, VICE Sports, MLB.com, SI.com and more. He is a proud alum of Northwestern University and The Daily Northwestern. You can find him on Twitter @AlexPutterman.

1 thought on “Matt Barnes announces retirement, wrapping up highly eventful NBA career

  1. What a dysfunctional, temperamental, marginal, attention seeking jackhole. After he wore out his welcome with the 3rd team, they should have realized he is not worth the aggravation and baggage he brings.

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