Lakers: Ex-LA Role Player Reveals Whether He Thinks LeBron James Deserves A Crypto.com Arena Statue
Longtime NBA defensive specialist-turned-Showtime broadcaster Matt Barnes, a one-time Los Angeles Lakers teammate of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, believes that James has done enough as a Laker to warrant a statue -- provided a certain someone else is honored first.
When TMZ Sports caught up with Barnes at what looked like LAX, the retired 6'7" swingman, who won a title as a reserve with the Golden State Warriors in 2017, spoke about which statue-less Lakers legends deserved to be remembered in bronze:
“They gotta worry about getting that Kobe statue up first,” Barnes said. “But obviously, LeBron is an all-time great, so I’m sure they’ll find a way to honor him with a statue. I don't really know the politics of getting a statue at [Crypto.com Arena], but one championship, scoring title, we'll have to see... I don't see why not.”
The Santa Clara native was a career journeyman, having suited up with the Los Angeles Clippers (in two separate), the Sacramento Kings (also in two separate stints), the New York Knicks, the Philadelphia 76ers, the aforementioned Warriors (again, in two separate stints), the Phoenix Suns, the Orlando Magic, your Lakers, and the Memphis Grizzlies across 14 NBA seasons.
Barnes played for LA during also-ran seasons in 2010-11 (Phil Jackson's last year with the team) and 2011-12, on star-studded clubs surrounding All-Stars Gasol and Bryant. In that run, he averaged 7.3 points on .459/.327/.756 shooting splits, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
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