HoopsHype.com Rumors

» Saturday, December 3 2011

Turns out, Barnes buys the chatter about Howard's desire to don purple and gold, because he's heard the same from a pretty reliable source: Dwight Howard. "You know, I've been hearing [rumors about] Dwight," acknowledged Barnes. "I've been hearing [rumors about] Baron [Davis in the event of getting amnestied]. I've been hearing stuff a lot lately. I've talked to both of those guys and they wanna be here, so we'll see what happens. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Matt Barnes

» Monday, November 28 2011

Matt Barnes has revealed that his split from Gloria Govan isn't as recent as most think. Matt, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, announced via Twitter that he and Gloria called it a wrap on the relationship before summer. But he said that they kept up appearances to make her look good on "Basketball Wives: LA." "In May, Gloria and I decided to separate and in the best interest of her career, I foolishly agreed to portray that we were still together for the upcoming season [of] her show on VH1," he tweeted last week. "As recently as August we decided to revisit a joint statement of our separation, but Gloria asked to delay making our separation public for the interest of her show." S2S Magazine

Now, it appears that Matt is a bit resentful of having to play along for the cameras, all while defending his supposedly platonic relationship with Eva Longoria. And the NBA player also shut down speculation that it was his infidelities that killed his romance with Gloria. "It is ironic now how Gloria is trying to manipulate the professional relationship between Eva Longoria and myself as the sole reason for our separation, when she knows we split up in May," Matt wrote. "The reason I broke my silence and released the separation statement a month ago, was due to her on going affair with a former friend of mine." S2S Magazine

The league and the players association are still negotiating secondary issues and the players union still needs to reform and put the new CBA to a vote among union members. But unlike in the NFL, where there was a last minute panic amongst players over the finer print in the deal, no one seemed particularly concerned that this deal could fall apart. "I think for them to bring it to a vote, they definitely met some things we were asking for," Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Barnes said. "For us to even to come to a vote, because last time we weren't even close to having a vote. For us to come to a vote, it's close to as good as it's gonna get. So let's just go out there and play." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, CBA, Matt Barnes

» Wednesday, November 23 2011

Barnes, who split with his former fiancee, reality television star Gloria Govan, in May, explained in a statement released by his publicist that he agreed to portray that he was still with Govan for the upcoming season of her VH1 show. According to Barnes, Govan asked him to delay publicizing their separation for the interest of her show and is now trying to "manipulate the professional relationship between Eva Longoria and myself as the sole reason for our separation." FOXSports.com

"I wish her nothing but the best and I will continue to keep our children as my first priority," Barnes added at the end of the statement. FOXSports.com

Or from his past five years attending the league's board of governors meetings in both spring and fall, entering stride for stride with Jerry and Jeanie to convene with all other NBA owners. Or from him sitting in with Jerry, Jim and Mitch Kupchak last summer as the free-agent names Steve Blake and Matt Barnes were kicked around. Or from him huddling with Jim on draft night in June, studying Synergy Sports Technology scouting video before the Lakers' picks were made. "The long term is my dad wants to transfer the shares out to his children," Joey said. "It'll become a process in which all of us will have ownership of the team. I just think there'll be a natural progression, and I should be ready when that happens and not try to push anything earlier than that. Using this as an opportunity to grow is great for me. "My dad will bounce things off of me. Business and basketball. I get somebody's ear basically all the time, so there's always influence that way. At the end of the day, the top-level Lakers decisions are not mine to make, but I definitely do have a voice." Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Draft, Mitch Kupchak, Matt Barnes, Steve Blake

» Tuesday, November 22 2011

Barnes had storied play in basketball and football in high school, and he contemplated a professional career on the gridiron before accepting a scholarship to play for UCLA's basketball team. He compiled All-American, all-state, all-CIF, all-city and all-league honors during both his prep basketball and football days. On Wednesday, the jersey retirement, which is scheduled to take place between the women's and men's varsity alumni games, will bring that full circle. Los Angeles Times

» Thursday, November 3 2011

"If the lockout continues or there ever comes to a point where we know the season will be canceled, that would be something I would look at," said Barnes, who exercised his $1.91 million option to play for the Lakers in the 2011-2012 season. "I want to play basketball. I would love to play here first. But if I can't, I would play overseas." Los Angeles Times

Samples said the D12 Foundation also has received commitments from Gilbert Arenas, Trevor Ariza, Carlos Arroyo, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Earl Clark, Drew Gooden, Rashard Lewis, Mike Miller, Jameer Nelson, Jason Richardson and DeShawn Stevenson. Those commitments are in addition to Ryan Anderson, Chris Duhon, Quentin Richardson and Daniel Orton, who have told the Orlando Sentinel directly or through their agents that they expect to play. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Daniel Orton, Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson, Jameer Nelson, Chris Duhon, Mike Miller, Dwight Howard, Matt Barnes, Carlos Arroyo, Drew Gooden, Brandon Bass, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis, Quentin Richardson, Lockout, Ryan Anderson, Earl Clark, DeShawn Stevenson

But with the NBA missing at least the month of November because of the work stoppage, Barnes acknowledged in a phone interview Thursday that he might change his mind. "If the lockout continues or there ever comes to a point where we know the season will be canceled, that would be something I would look at," said Barnes, who exercised his $1.91 million option to play for the Lakers in the 2011-2012 season. "I want to play basketball. I would love to play here first. But if I can't, I would play overseas." Los Angeles Times

"I've scratched and clawed to stay in the NBA," said Barnes, who has played on nine teams in his eight-year career. "My goal has always been not to go overseas. Going overseas isn't a punishment. It's a chance to play. I'm still battling that in my head to make it OK. It's been a roller coaster for me to stick in this league. My goal from Day 1 was not to go overseas to play basketball because I know I'm good enough to play here. But now that basketball is not going on here, going overseas is an option if the lockout lingers." Los Angeles Times

» Wednesday, November 2 2011

Lakers forward Matt Barnes isn't buying allegations of impropriety. Speaking on a podcast to Andy and Brian Kamenetzky of ESPNLosAngeles.com, Barnes stood by his elected representative and teammate. "I've known [Fisher] for a number of years, and his character is second to none in my eyes. So what he does, I know it's for the good of us," he said. "It's almost like he's the president of the country. He's the president of the Player's Association, so all our faith lies in him and I fully trust what he's doing is for us, and for us to get to play again." ESPN.com

Matt I apologize, but I gotta ask you because you are in the news for reasons that I am sure annoy you. Matt Barnes dating Eva Longoria? She says no. You have been linked in the tabloids and the internet to Eva Longoria. Any comments on that? Matt Barnes: “Eva and I are friends. We are working together. She has an amazing cancer foundation as well, so we are working together and setting up an event for 2012. I know everyone likes to read and everything and hope or talk bad about situations, but Eva and I are just friends.” Sports Radio Interviews

» Monday, October 31 2011

Although the item included a statement from Longoria's rep that the pair were just "friends," Longoria didn't appreciate Page Six's speculation. "First Jessica Simpson, now this," she wrote on her WhoSay page -- alluding to rampant chatter about Jessica Simpson's possible pregnancy. "Once again, press gets it wrong, Matt barnes and I are not dating!" usmagazine.com

» Wednesday, October 26 2011

Iverson is working with the Justice Entertainment Group on the four-team Las Vegas Superstar Challenge slated for Nov. 12-13 at the Thomas and Mack Center. Iverson, who signed a contract with the Griz for the 2009-10 season, will announce the event Wednesday in Las Vegas. Confirmed players include: Amare Stoudemire (New York Knicks), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics), Tyreke Evans (Sacramento Kings), Lou Williams (Philadelphia 76ers), Hakim Warrick (Phoenix Suns), Chauncey Billups (New York Knicks), Al Harrington (Denver Nuggets), Stephen Jackson (Golden State Warriors), Monte Ellis (Golden State Warriors), Corey Maggette (Charlotte Bobcats), Matt Barnes (Los Angeles Lakers), David Lee (Golden State Warriors), James Harden (Oklahoma City Thunder), Ryan Hollins (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats), Derrick Williams (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Marcus Morris (Houston Rockets). Memphis Commercial Appeal

Lakers forward Matt Barnes sees otherwise. Oh, he wishes the season would start on time so he can help avenge the team's poor 2011 postseason performance all right. But in the pure interest of having enough time to rehab his surgically repaired right knee, the prolonged work stoppage has done wonders. So much that he considers his knee 90-95% healthy after scrimmaging Tuesday at Loyola Marymount University followed with an hour-long core-strengtening and flexibility session at Barre Physique Manhattan Beach. "I’m starting to feel the spring coming back," Barnes said of his right knee, which suffered a lateral meniscus tear Jan. 7 against New Orleans. "I can still tell I’m not all the way back because when I go to the basket, I have to time myself to dunk. Before, it was just an afterthought. I’m pretty close. It’s probably another couple of weeks before I’m attacking the basket like I used to." Los Angeles Times