Barnes on Kawhi: I want to guard him 'every second' I'm on the court
Matt Barnes had a key play in Game 1 of the Clippers' first-round matchup against San Antonio, battling for a loose ball with Spurs center Aron Baynes. He walked away from that jump ball, in which Baynes fell out-of-bounds into photographers while Barnes walked away with his arms up.
The moment fired up his teammates and all the Clippers fans inside the Staples Center.
But it's the job Barnes and the Clippers did on Kawhi Leonard, the rangy, athletic small forward, and the job they will continue to do -- for better or worse -- that will be key to their success. In Game 1, which the Clippers won 107-92, Leonard scored 18 points and added six rebounds, three assists and four steals. He also had four turnovers.
Barnes wants this matchup, and he told Doc Rivers just that.
Watch @matt_barnes22 on guarding kawhi Leonard. "I told Doc, every second (I'm) on the court I want to gu https://t.co/Si2P7I2Sq5
— Jill Painter Lopez (@jillpainter) April 22, 2015
"We just want to make it tough for him," Barnes said. "He's one of the up-and-coming stars, Finals MVP last year. I told Doc, every second I'm on the court, I want to guard him. He was 7 for 12 (from the field) and we made him work. He wasn't as aggressive as he possibly could've been. I'm sure tonight he's going to be a lot more aggressive, and I'm looking forward to that."
Barnes is 35, and Leonard is 23. There's a 12-year age difference, and Leonard is the most athletic player on the Spurs roster.
"I like that he wants to. I don't know if I will," Rivers said. "I like when players say that. I don't always do it. Most of the time I don't agree with it. I like it when your players want to guard someone. That's nice."
The Clippers are appreciative of Barnes confidence to take on the assignment of guarding Leonard and aren't surprised by it.
"Matt has taken that responsibility all season," J.J. Redick said. "That's something he's embraced in terms of his role on this team. It's a very valuable role for us. It will be a very valuable role for us in this series. If we're fortunate to advance it will be a valuable role going forward."
