"We were a bunch of Draymond Greens" - Matt Barnes on the talent of the "We Believe" Warriors
Matt Barnes didn't feel like he was part of a team until he joined the Golden State Warriors in 2006. Prior to that, Barnes couldn't even finish an entire season with a single team, having bounced around on four different franchises.
For Barnes, the Warriors were the first and only team to really give him an opportunity to prove himself. They truly believed in their players and were backed by such a loyal and passionate fan base.
That squad was famously known as the "We Believe" Warriors as they lived off the trust and support of each other. As he reflected on it, Barnes couldn't help but reminisce about how fulfilling it was to be a part of that team at the time.
"It was a magical season," Barnes told Bleacher Report of the "We Believe" Warriors in 2017. "We only went to the second round, but we captured everyone's imagination and brought the spirit back to this city."
"My favorite team, hands down," added Barnes. "The brotherhood was just unmatched. We were a bunch of Draymond Greens back then, as far as our attitudes. We had five of us out there with that same mentality, and that's what made it so much fun."
Barnes says the "We Believe" Warriors was all about unity
The lone All-Star player on the "We Believe" Warriors was Baron Davis. Nevertheless, the team was able to upset the number one seed in the West, the Dallas Mavericks, in the first round of the 2007 playoffs.
All throughout that year, the Warriors prided themselves with their unity and selfless approach to the game. Apart from Davis, tough role players such as Barnes, Stephen Jackson, Jason Richardson and Monta Ellis, all played their part and were pivotal to Golden State's historic run.
It was Barnes' first stint with the Warriors. It only lasted two seasons but for Barnes, the impact it had on him lasts for eternity.
"Everyone kind of kept their egos at the door," Matt once described the "We Believe Warriors" in a separate discussion.
"You know, I mean the goal was to win; that team had so much firepower, so many stars from our coaches to our players that at least while I was there, basketball was what was most important."
"Winning was most important, so you know, there were games where guys wouldn't kill, but at the end of the day, you won by 30, [because] it was someone else's turn," he continued. "When I was there, the chemistry was second to none."Barnes ended his career with the Warriors
Barnes' two-year run with the Warriors was undoubtedly the high point of his NBA career.
He had his best season in '06-'07, averaging 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in the regular season.
He also logged his first career-best 11.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in 11 playoff games.
Though Barnes traveled from team to team once again after the "We Believe" Warriors parted ways, he took it upon himself to return to Golden State when the opportunity presented itself in 2017 at 36 years of age. At that point, Golden State already had a new look altogether with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson leading the charge.
He won the NBA title that year and officially retired.This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
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