Matt Barnes retires from NBA at 37, saying he did it his way

By AP
Published

LOS ANGELES (AP) Matt Barnes is retiring from the NBA after playing for nine teams over 14 years and winning a championship with Golden State last season.

The 37-year-old small forward hasn't played this season. He posted his retirement announcement on Instagram on Monday.

''Traveled the world met alota cool people, some will be brothers for the rest of my life!'' he wrote in part. ''But now.... You telling me I can dress like this for business meetings & make more money off the court than in made on?? & spend more time with my kids??!!Ha... MEEEEE the one that wasn't supposed to be (expletive) & ended up making it!!''

His post was accompanied by a photo of Barnes in gray sweatpants, a dark T-shirt and denim jacket.

''Love me or hate me, I did it my way!'' he wrote.

Last month, Barnes received his NBA championship ring during Golden State's game against Sacramento, which released him last season. He went to high school in the state capital.

''It was an amazing opportunity, a tremendous blessing,'' he said that night. ''I was one of those guys who wasn't supposed to make it in this league.''

Barnes had repeat stints with Golden State, Sacramento and the Los Angeles Clippers, for whom he played the longest. He also was with the Lakers, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Orlando and Memphis.

He averaged 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds during his career. He often came off the bench and was known for his hard-nosed approach.

''He was a physical, tough kid,'' Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. ''He was an instigator to say the least, and as Red Auerbach said every day when I was in Boston, you can never have enough of those.''

Barnes played four years at UCLA before he was selected by Memphis in the second round of the 2002 draft.

Off the court, Barnes made headlines during his marriage to Gloria Govan, with whom he has twin sons. The couple divorced and she began dating Barnes' ex-Lakers teammate Derek Fisher. In October 2015, the two men got into an altercation at Govan's Los Angeles home. Barnes was suspended two games without pay by the NBA for his part in it.