Webber to Warriors? Matt Barnes approves.
In a bizarre week of Seinfeldian symmetry, I ran into Matt Barnes at the Adidas Heritage store in Berkeley yesterday. Not one to shy from an improptu interview opportunity, I went up and introduced myself. I had to try and find out something about the Webber to the Warriors rumor. The conversation went about like this.
Turman: What’s up Matt Barnes? I just gotta say thanks. I’m a lifetime Warriors fan and I just wanted to let you know that we all really appreciate the hustle and heart.
Matt Barnes: Thanks, man.
Turman: A couple of friends and I have a blog about the team, Fear the Beard dot org, and you’re a pretty popular subject.
Matt Barnes: Oh, cool. Thanks for the pub.
Turman: Right on, bruh. I’ll let you get back to your shopping.
Matt Barnes: Alright then.
So, that’s when I start kicking myself. And the conversation could have ended there, but that’s not how it turned out. I was shopping. Barnes was shopping. Well maybe I sort of chased him around the store, maybe not. I wanted my scoop.
Turman: So what’s up with C-Webb coming to the Dubs?
Matt Barnes: Sounds like it’s gonna go down.
Turman: F’real? I gotta say, I’ve been getting in arguments about this all week. You think he can still run with you guys?
Matt Barnes: Yeah, he can. He’ll have to work though.
Turman: You think he’s ready?
Matt Barnes: He’s ready. But it won’t be easy. And he’ll have to want it.
The last words hung in the air and Barnes looked away from the shoes in his hand to freeze me with a look of seriousness. We both nodded and resumed our shopping.
Technically, I had a bona-fide scoop for a minute. But as often happens, life intervened and I didn’t get to blogging until today. So, imagine my non-surprise at finding out that the Contra Costa Times had beat me to the story. Damn you Geoff Lepper! Oh well. With Barnes having played with Webber a couple of seasons ago in Philly, he was a logical person to ask. And I’m sure he was one of the first people that Mully and the coaching staff went to for an opinion as well.
So, here it is: I officially recant my opinion that Webber is too slow. If Barnes says he can still bring it, I say let the experiment begin.
Turman
PS. I suppose that I did feel a little guilty about parlaying his tattoo interview into about 5,000 new female FTB readers after chopping it up for a minute with MB. But hey, we’ve all got jobs to do. Thanks Matt for being an approachable cat. And thanks for the extra site traffic. FTH, baby!
See… that’s why I love this site. Grass roots.
On another note-
There’s an Adidas Heritage store in Berkeley?
I’ve been away too long…
just bought some icy grey campus’ on line… but would rather have bumped into FTB and Captain B up there!
Anyway… this Webber thing could get interesting.
Comment by cocomotion | 01.27.2008 | 5:00 pm
Well done DT. I am NOT good at this particular style of interview, but believe that if I find a beard the warrents an interview I will try to draw from your stengths. All in the name of FTB.
Um and yes that ADIDAS store has been there for QUITE a while!!!!!
Comment by zoeellis | 01.27.2008 | 5:09 pm
Yeah. The Adidas store is on Telegraph between Durant and Bancroft. It’s dope, actually. It’s all lifestyle gear, lots of special-edition stuff and low-volume releases. I opted for the Lendl-esque argyle track jacket in Warriors blue, yellow, orange and white.
But yeah, the Webber thing. Redemption takes many forms I suppose, but it still sounds strange to me. It’s like when the Raiders moved back from LA. I had so much invested in the Warriors before C-Webb’s rift with Nellie killed the franchise for a decade and a half, it’s hard for me to sign on without reservations. But if Barnes thinks it could work, that’s big. And if Webber and Nelson can agree to work together again, that’s even bigger.
Comment by admin | 01.27.2008 | 5:16 pm
Nice work, DT.
Comment by Dewey | 01.27.2008 | 5:17 pm
Yeah… like I said-
It’s been a while. I’ve always been more of a Haputs guy. The last Warrior I bumped into while shopping… was Terry Teagle at the Longs Drugs in San Leandro (circa 1980-somethin’). He was very cool, but didn’t have any Great Insight on veteran acquisitions at that time.
Comment by cocomotion | 01.27.2008 | 6:12 pm
OOOOps…
HARPUTS. with an “R”..
Alright… I need roll out and find a bar in LB with the game on.
cheers, FTB… nice work again.
I think this “warrents” a beer.
Comment by cocomotion | 01.27.2008 | 6:22 pm
Wow. This is a HUGE risk. C’mon Warriors, remember Law 10: “Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky.” Both words have been used to describe Webber on numerous occasions. But then again, maybe C-Webb’s been studying up on the 48 Laws himself and has taken Law 25 (Re-create Yourself) to heart. Could be the best idea ever, or the worst - classic Warriors.
Comment by matthewmeschery | 01.27.2008 | 11:01 pm
And, DT, good photo find.
Comment by guthriedolin | 01.27.2008 | 11:52 pm
Dude. That took hella long to find. Gracias.
But seriously. Imagine the possibilities of a glorious karmic reset. It’s a “we believe” kinda thought. And the basketball logic is pretty sound. Webber’s great from 18 feet or so, which is exactly where Carlos Boozer (or Duncan, or whomever) is less effective on the defensive glass. I’m warming to this. But admittedly I was brainwashed by Barnes.
Comment by admin | 01.28.2008 | 12:08 am
Looks pretty official. Now, what about Seikaly?
Comment by guthriedolin | 01.28.2008 | 7:56 pm