Monroe: Ex-Spur Brent Barry ponders options, including the Spurs

[timvp]

Ex-Spur Brent Barry ponders options, including the Spurs
Mike Monroe
San Antonio Express-News

It was mid-morning Tuesday, but already, the day had added layers of confusion for recently traded guard Brent Barry.

Not long after he cleared waivers, having been released last weekend by the Seattle SuperSonics, the team to which the Spurs had traded him, he received a phone call from one of the elite NBA teams seeking his services for the remainder of the season.

A representative of the Rockets phoned to let Barry know that Yao Ming, Houston's 7-foot-6 All-Star center, was going to miss the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with a stress fracture of the left foot. It was a courtesy call, one that may well have diminished whatever interest Barry had in joining the Rockets.

Later, there was a call from Boston Celtics All-Star guard Ray Allen, with whom Barry once teamed when both played for the SuperSonics. Boston, with the NBA's best record, also wants to sign the 36-year-old Barry.

Allen did his best to persuade Barry to come to Boston.

On his way for a face-to-face visit was former Spurs shooting guard Steve Kerr, now the GM of the Phoenix Suns. Kerr told the Arizona Republic he left town without a decision from Barry.

Barry wants to make certain whatever he decides is right for him, his wife, Erin, and their two sons, Quin and Cade.

"There is still no decision," Barry said late Tuesday evening. "I'm really hoping that tomorrow is decision day, because I just told Erin I've never used drugs, but if this goes on much longer, I might be tempted to start.

"I'm just trying to figure out what's out there and go from there."

Barry said the reports of teams interested in signing him had been accurate and that all of remained in the running.

NBA guidelines prevent Barry from returning to the Spurs for 30 days after the date on which he was traded, which was Feb. 20. That makes March 21 the first day he could re-join the team for which he has played since signing with the club as a free agent in the summer of 2004.

He was eligible to sign with any other team as soon as he cleared waivers, which is why some teams had expected a decision from him by Tuesday.

Barry has not played since suffering a left calf injury in the Spurs' victory over the Miami Heat on Jan. 24. It was a recurrence of a problem with the left calf that first hit Barry in a game against the Bulls on Dec. 26 and kept him out for three weeks. He likely needs another 10 days to two weeks until he is able to return to game action.

Nevertheless, Barry has been pursued by some of the NBA's best teams because he remains one of the league's best shooters and smartest players. In 29 games with the Spurs this season, he averaged 7.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in an average of 18.7 minutes. He made 43 percent of his 3-point shots.

While it is presumed the Spurs also have interest in bringing Barry back, general manager R.C. Buford on Monday said the club would have no comment, even after Barry cleared waivers. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich also sidestepped questions about him.

Before the Sonics decided to release Barry, Popovich had praised his play and wished him well.

"I thought Brent was having a fantastic year," Popovich said last Thursday.

Being pursued by elite teams puts Barry in a win-win situation. Guaranteed to receive every dollar from the $5.54 million final season of the four-year contract he signed with the Spurs in the summer of 2004, Barry is in line for more money with a new contract from whichever team signs him, including the Spurs.

Even if he were to sign a $1.215 million veteran minimum contract with the Spurs, his pro-rated salary would be slightly more than $185,000. He could net more from another team because his new salary would kick in sooner.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...n.3deada9.html

[timvp]

Barry pares options to just Suns, Spurs
Phoenix GM Kerr makes pitch to vet
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Suns General Manager Steve Kerr got to shake hands Tuesday with the NBA's most coveted free agent, Brent Barry, but there was no handshake agreement that Barry would join the Suns.

Between scouting games at Kansas State on Monday night and Vanderbilt on Tuesday night, Kerr dropped in on the San Antonio home of a wavering Barry to make a two-hour pitch to him and his wife, Erin, on the day that Barry's decision was expected.

Barry only whittled his candidate list to San Antonio and Phoenix, leaving them to wait for an answer today.

Each team is offering a veteran's minimum contract that includes the 2008-09 season, but the Spurs are believed to be sweetening the pot with a third year, on top of the emotional pull of teammates he has played with since 2004.

Barry also had been considering Boston, Houston and Dallas. He cleared waivers Tuesday morning.

"I've spoken with Brent," Kerr said. "I met with him and his wife, and we're awaiting his decision. He's very seriously considering it."

The Suns are seeking to add Barry, 36, to help with playmaking and perimeter shooting. Barry cleared waivers Tuesday morning after being traded last week from San Antonio to Seattle, which released him Friday. If Barry signs with San Antonio, he can't re-join the team until 30 days after the trade (March 21).

"There have been so many changes over the past few days, it's very difficult," Barry told the San Antonio Express-News on Tuesday morning. "Just because I've cleared (waivers), I don't have a timetable that today is the day I have to decide."

Barry, a 6-foot-7 swingman, is recovering from a calf strain that would keep him out of action at least a week.

Should Barry pick San Antonio, the Suns could turn their attention to Philadelphia guard Gordan Giricek. He was traded to the 76ers when Utah landed Kyle Korver in late December.

Giricek, a 30-year-old, 6-foot-6 shooter, has played twice this month and could be bought out by Saturday, which would make him playoff eligible if it happens by Saturday.

Giricek would not fill the playmaker role that Barry can and has shot 36.7 percent from 3-point range for his career, compared to Barry's 40.7 percent.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepu...barry0227.html

[polandprzem]

Good read

I must say that this year is the most interesting season of all seasons I remember

[SpursFan0728]

thanks for articles

looks like suns is really making a run for him..

[PM5K]

Not only does Barry become a legend if he returns as you mentioned (or something like that) but so does CIA POP...

[whottt]

I am sure Kerr is offering him the combo guard spot he loves to play as well.

No doubt Kerr is making it difficult...


But hopefully Brent realizes that about 50% of the reason the Suns want him is because he tears them up and they want him off our roster.

[Supreme_Being]

Kerr should go himself. Barry is OURS.

[whottt]

One thing for sure...this is killing the collusion talk.



Do the right thing Brent...don't go to the ing Suns...don't do it, don't use the inside knowledge of the guys that you won 2 rings with against them to help their top rivals get a ing ring.


Don't you dare help Shaq O'Neal get his 5th ring, to move past Tim Duncan.
, don't help Shaq period...he's an asshole.
Don't you dare go to the Suns to try and stop the Spurs repeat...the only thing they haven't done to clinch dynasty status...
Don't try to cost big shot Rob his last ring...you know...that guy whose heroism in game 5 put that first ring on you ing finger. The guy who gave you the advice that turned it all around for you in games 6 and 7 of the 05 Finals.


Don't be a punk Brent...don't do it. And that is punk...don't listen to the asshats on the forum that say it doesn't matter...it matters.


Now that we know the Spurs are offering you the best offer...the choice is clear, actually, the choice was clear even if they weren't making you the best offer, they want you back


You come back here and you lock up the dynasty...and remember, Kerr didn't become a Spurs Legend until after he came back from being traded(he has since ed up his Legend status by distancing himself from the team and city). This is your last chance for a legacy...

You want to be a hired gun or a San Antonio Spur?




If you take the vet min to finish out this season Pop will love you...and once Pop loves you timvp will automatically like you as will his flock on ST..and once timvp likes you Tpark will like you...

You're in the home stretch...you finally figured out the system...Pop didn't trade you because he didn't think you ciuld help the team...he did it to improve the team...you won Pop's trust...don't let him down now.

He traded you because he knew he could you back...

Do the right thing Brent...come to back to SA...don't be a ing Sun...

[timvp]

One thing for sure...this is killing the collusion talk.



Do the right thing Brent...don't go to the ing Suns...don't do it, don't use the inside knowledge of the guys that you won 2 rings with against them to help their top rivals get a ing ring.


Don't you dare help Shaq O'Neal get his 5th ring.
Don't you dare go to the Suns to stop the Spurs repeat...the only thing they haven't done to clinch dynasty status...


Don't be a punk Brent...don't do it. And that is punk...don't listen to the asshats on the forum that say it doesn't matter...it matters.

Bingo X 10.

[Supreme_Being]

I take it, timvp and T_Park are a couple?

[whottt]

Kerr should go himself. Barry is OURS.

Kerr has needed to go himself for about 2 years now.

[DespЏrado]

It's good to finally hear it from his own mouth. I think he is heading back here, and it definitely helps out that we are sweetening the deal with a third year, meaning if he chooses us, he will be accepting the best contract, as well as the best team.

[timvp]

I take it, timvp and T_Park are a couple?

Read whottt with a grain of salt.









P.S.

That's the last time I ever agree with whottt. I agree and then he edits his post. Lame.

[whottt]

:

P.S.

That's the last time I ever agree with whottt. I agree and then he edits his post. Lame.

I was in mid edit when you responded, look at all that I added...I got on a roll once I made the Shaq Suns connection. Whole new perspective opened up for me...

[TDMVPDPOY]

im tired of this jackass kerr going after our players

seriously if barry does sign with the suns, i really hope bowen.....you know where im getting too....

[DespЏrado]

I was in mid edit when you responded, look at all that I added...I got on a roll once I made the Shaq Suns connection. Whole new perspective opened up for me...

Must be some good smokes.

[timvp]

Houston wants to sign my brother Brent Barry, recently cut loose from Seattle. Where will he end up? I talk to him every day, and he's more confused now than he was two days ago. One day it's Boston, another it's Phoenix, another it's back to San Antonio. We'll see.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailyd...ge=dime-080227

If you are going to leave, go to Boston. Don't go to the Suns.

Thanks.

[SenorSpur]

Like everyone else, I'm hoping Barry will come back to the Spurs. He's been a valuable playoff contributor for the past two championship teams. However even if he doesn't come back, I still like the Spurs chances to repeat. I also don't see Barry swinging the balance of any potential series between Spurs and Suns.

If having him come back means having to commit another full season or two to him, I don't know if that is such a good thing. Mainly because of the advanced age at the swing positions. I don't see how the Spurs can commit to another full season to both Barry and Finley. Obviously, this is all very premature and you want to give yourself the best chance to win this year.

However after the season ends, this team has to "turn the page" and infuse yet another swingman (or two) onto this roster. A younger player that can shoot the 3, can get up and down the court and can defend. The infusion of such a player MUST take place THIS SUMMER. They simply cannot afford to invest yet another season in the Barry, Bowen, Finley triumverate again. If they do, I believe diminishing returns await.

[timvp]

While the Cassell situation got a little murkier, the Brent Barry situation, thought to be dead, has gotten some life. On Monday, an NBA source said Barry was poised to join the Suns. That hasn't happened yet, although Phoenix boss Steve Kerr visited with Barry yesterday in San Antonio and remains hopeful. The Rockets also were in the hunt, but the season-ending injury to Yao Ming takes them out of the loop. The Spurs are still in the picture and, frankly, Barry is comfortable there and the team has a legitimate chance to repeat.

What about the Celtics? He'd be a great fit for Boston as well, but it would involve a lot of logistical stuff. If he waits another three weeks, he can re-up with the Spurs and be ready for the playoffs. But as of yesterday, he hadn't signed anywhere.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketb...hink_hardware/





Another NBA source said free agent guard Brent Barry, who cleared waivers yesterday, is still considering Boston.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketb...hink_hardware/

One scenario might be that Barry was about to sign with the Suns ... until the Spurs offered a third guaranteed season. Which then made Barry hesitate.







Or it could just be that Barry is pulling the ultimate anti-Stackhouse

[whottt]

I hope this is all smokescreen...


Barry can sign vet min deals and go where ever he wants to 2 or 3 more years easily... ...if he wins another le and light up the Suns again he might get their entire MLE....

[hsxvvd]

One thing for sure...this is killing the collusion talk.



Do the right thing Brent...don't go to the ing Suns...don't do it, don't use the inside knowledge of the guys that you won 2 rings with against them to help their top rivals get a ing ring.


Don't you dare help Shaq O'Neal get his 5th ring, to move past Tim Duncan.
, don't help Shaq period...he's an asshole.
Don't you dare go to the Suns to try and stop the Spurs repeat...the only thing they haven't done to clinch dynasty status...
Don't try to cost big shot Rob his last ring...you know...that guy whose heroism in game 5 put that first ring on you ing finger. The guy who gave you the advice that turned it all around for you in games 6 and 7 of the 05 Finals.


Don't be a punk Brent...don't do it. And that is punk...don't listen to the asshats on the forum that say it doesn't matter...it matters.


Now that we know the Spurs are offering you the best offer...the choice is clear, actually, the choice was clear even if they weren't making you the best offer, they want you back


You come back here and you lock up the dynasty...and remember, Kerr didn't become a Spurs Legend until after he came back from being traded(he has since ed up his Legend status by distancing himself from the team and city). This is your last chance for a legacy...

You want to be a hired gun or a San Antonio Spur?




If you take the vet min to finish out this season Pop will love you...and once Pop loves you timvp will automatically like you as will his flock on ST..and once timvp likes you Tpark will like you...

You're in the home stretch...you finally figured out the system...Pop didn't trade you because he didn't think you ciuld help the team...he did it to improve the team...you won Pop's trust...don't let him down now.

He traded you because he knew he could you back...

Do the right thing Brent...come to back to SA...don't be a ing Sun...

Me too!

[hsxvvd]

Offer Brent a Drobb lifetime contract! He'd make a great coach one day anyway... lock him up!

[whottt]

Or it could just be that Barry is pulling the ultimate anti-Stackhouse

Well let's look at the facts...

His locker was never cleaned out.
He went to a Spurs function.


He's been silent for about a week now...when was the last time Barry was that silent?


LoL....I bet they didn't think it would be this tricky.


And PS: Jon Barry need to shut his hole, if he was really looking out for his little brother he wouldn't have been tryint to get him to go to the freaking Rockets, with their chokers, to play on a team that hasn't made it out of the first round since the last century. That's to help him(Jon)...his last team, not Brent...because they don't have a better chance than the Spurs period. Even with a healthy Yao.


PS: I used to like Jon Barry better than Brent, in fact he was the Barry brother I wanted us to sign because he was firey...but he's got too much mouth on him. And he's not clutch either...Brent's much better.

[hsxvvd]

Like everyone else, I'm hoping Barry will come back to the Spurs. He's been a valuable playoff contributor for the past two championship teams. However even if he doesn't come back, I still like the Spurs chances to repeat. I also don't see Barry swinging the balance of any potential series between Spurs and Suns.

If having him come back means having to commit another full season or two to him, I don't know if that is such a good thing. Mainly because of the advanced age at the swing positions. I don't see how the Spurs can commit to another full season to both Barry and Finley. Obviously, this is all very premature and you want to give yourself the best chance to win this year.

However after the season ends, this team has to "turn the page" and infuse yet another swingman (or two) onto this roster. A younger player that can shoot the 3, can get up and down the court and can defend. The infusion of such a player MUST take place THIS SUMMER. They simply cannot afford to invest yet another season in the Barry, Bowen, Finley triumverate again. If they do, I believe diminishing returns await.

Cannot disagree more. Don't care how old he is, he'd always find ways to contribute, even to mentor the younger guys that might eventually come through.

[whottt]

The thing is...if he just blew off the Suns offer that would be su ious...I mean Kerr flew to SA just to talk to him.