http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13854380p-14694210c.html

Barnes looks forward to tonight
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, November 13, 2005
Matt Barnes, who enjoyed some of his greatest athletic achievements at Arco Arena as a Del Campo High School standout and as a King last season, returns tonight as a spot starter with the New York Knicks.
It's something of an eyebrow-raising move by coach Larry Brown, whose decision is two-fold. He is steering an 0-5 team that craves a victory, and he knows Barnes will compete on every inch of the floor in front of family, friends and Arco fans, who always salute former Kings.

"That's a surprise," Barnes said of his sudden start. "Any time you come back home, it's nice to play in front of family and friends. More than anything, we need a win."

Barnes started the first three games of the season, but because of a sudden logjam of healthy forwards, he was inactive the past two games. Still, it's a job, and there are no complaints.

"It's a roller coaster," he said.

Barnes started nine games for the Kings last season and was part of the Chris Webber trade to Philadelphia that brought Kenny Thomas, Brian Skinner and Corliss Williamson to the Kings.

At Arco, Barnes won a youth shooting exhibition in middle school, snapped the rim in spirited playoff games as a prolific prep and flourished in 43 games with the Kings last season.

I really want Ariza and Frye starting

I wonder if Brown is putting out lineups that will lose because he wants Isiah fired! (JK)

[Edited by - Bonn1997 on 11-13-2005 7:36 PM]

no, you're right, Bonn. It seems like LB is basing his lineups purely on basketball decisions. Barnes has a plus/minus of -28.9 this year, which complements Antonio Davis' plus/minus of -43.5. LB sure is a basketball genius. He's really getting every ounce of effort out of this lineup. What a coach.

Posted by crzymdups:

no, you're right, Bonn. It seems like LB is basing his lineups purely on basketball decisions. Barnes has a plus/minus of -28.9 this year, which complements Antonio Davis' plus/minus of -43.5. LB sure is a basketball genius. He's really getting every ounce of effort out of this lineup. What a coach.

Just think if we put all our negatives together, we should lose the games by 200 points.

Let's predict the half time lead and end of game deficit: How about +10 and -21?