Matt Barnes

“You don't have to be a professional athlete to be heard - the most powerful tool you have is your voice.”

“I'm a role player, a journeyman. I know who I am.”

“You have to stay locked in. You're so locked in on guarding your guy you figure when the ball goes up the bigs are going to get it. But the possessions not over until you get the rebound.”

“I mean, this is basketball, you have a lot of different teammates and you move around a lot, to find true friends is something special.”

“Everything I do is major news.”

“I mean, don't get me wrong, being ref is a very tough job - managing 10 of the best athletes in the world. At the same time, I think there is way too much ego from their standpoint.”

“It's a business when the NBA cuts you, trades you or waives you. But you're a villain, as a player, when you take your future and your happiness in your own hands and it's unfortunate.”

“We can't beat any team by ourselves.”

“I kind of have a bad-guy reputation.”

“I'm a football player playing basketball.”

“I think there are things you can do to toughen yourself up.”

“Early in my career I had to be a goon to survive. I did everything I had to do and probably some things I shouldn't have.”

“I still miss my mom every day, but when I see the smiles on the faces of the people that I help I know I am honoring her legacy.”

“It's us against the world when you step out on that court.”

“I was the bad guy, the NBA bad guy.”

“I was one of those guys that really had to fight to make it in this league. Early on, I really had to do whatever it took, whether it be fight, rough people up, to make the team. I looked at it as it's either me or them - and it was going to be me.”

“Good TV is not about people being happy; it's drama.”

“This social media era is giving us a more in-depth look at our favorite people, and it's all aspects, from music to movies to television to sports. I think it has been somewhat of a distraction at times, but also a huge benefit.”

“With 2Pac you can't go wrong.”

“I started Athletes vs Cancer as a way to honor my mother, but now giving back has become a part of who I am, and more importantly, this is a key value I hope to pass on to my own sons.”