Matt Barnes won an NBA Championship as a member of the 2017 Golden State Warriors team. However, the now retired player doesn't think he earned the title.
In an appearance on he Pardon My Take Podcast, Barnes admitted that his championship with the Dubs doesn't really count, adding that it feels like it was given to him.
“To be honest with you, I really don't count that championship,” Barnes said. “Obviously through the process of my career and everything I accomplished — I earned it. But I got hurt going into the playoffs and I've never been given anything.”
“I felt like because I wasn't out there on the court with my guys — sweating and fighting — that it was given to me. I appreciate the opportunity and the ring, but I don't really ever refer to myself as a champion or wear my ring.”
The Warriors signed Barnes in March 2017 as a replacement to Kevin Durant, who went down with an MCL injury in the regular season. The 16-year veteran started five of his 20 regular season games with the Dubs before going down with various injuries as well. KD returned to the line-up in the playoffs, which led to Barnes playing sparingly for the remainder of his stint with Golden State.
Barnes joined the Warriors to win a ring before calling it a career, but getting hurt wasn't in his plans and he does not want to be given credit for something that he didn't work hard for, intentionally or not.
Barnes announced his retirement from the NBA in December 2017.
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