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Barnes Introduced by Grizzlies, Says All the Right Things

By Christian Dudley

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Apr 14, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Matt Barnes (22) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies officially introduced forward Matt Barnes to the media via press conference on Tuesday, July 28th, 2015.

The Memphis Grizzlies have finally made an official introduction of one of their biggest offseason pickups in Matt Barnes.

On Tuesday, the team hosted a press conference in the FedEx Forum to put Barnes in front of media to answer some of the questions Grizz Nation has been dying to ask.

Did you miss the 11:00 A.M. presser from Tuesday? Do not fret, it can be seen on the Memphis Grizzlies’ official website. Here it is via a posting on their Twitter account:

Matt has been saying all of the right things. He is quickly winning over the city of Memphis. Soon, Grizz Nation may forget (well…maybe not completely) all about the hatred they once showed Barnes in his trips inside the Grindhouse as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Here is additional up-close coverage from the Grizzlies’ social media accounts pertaining to Matt Barnes and his introduction inside the city of Memphis.

Admittedly, it is mind-blowing to see Matt Barnes wearing a Memphis Grizzlies uniform. He has been a loathed foe for so long–from a Grizz fan perspective–but it is exciting to know that he will now be terrorizing opponents from Memphis’ side of the court. He truly fits the grit-‘n’-grind mold of the Grizzlies–nonstop tenacious defense while being a team player.

One of the biggest wishes the Grizzlies have is for Matt Barnes to continue to his hot shooting that he displayed in the 2014-15 season. Scoring and shooting are two major needs Memphis must receive from their wing players if they want to take the next step in attempting to capture at NBA Finals appearance as well as their first NBA World Championship.

Nov 18, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers small forward Matt Barnes (22) reacts in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

He owned a 36.2% clip (no pun intended) from beyond the three-point arc in the 2014-15 season–nearly the best of his 12-year NBA career. What is more impressive is this outcome resulted from the most three-point makes by Barnes in a single season for himself. This trend needs to continue for him throughout the upcoming 2015-16 season.

It is nice to hear Barnes being all-in for a championship with the Memphis Grizzlies. He is clearly on the same page with his new teammates, management, and fan base. There has been bad blood in the past, but it all seems to have cleared this summer.

Thus far, you cannot ask more from Matt Barnes. He is undoubtedly a great addition–one that will certainly be a key contributor and a driving force of the Grizzlies’ championship hopes.

Just how effective will he be?

Grizz Nation will begin to find out once October arrives; however, Barnes is ready to get “nasty” in Memphis, and that is something the rest of the NBA should fear.

Continue to check Beale Street Bears for the latest news, rumors, and other info of the offseason regarding your Memphis Grizzlies!

Go Grizz!

Next: Why must Jeff Green be better for the Memphis Grizzlies?

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