Latest news with #MattBarnes
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Matt Barnes has a problem with all the Kobe slander in the past couple of years: "None of this weird talk was happening while he was here"
Matt Barnes has a problem with all the Kobe slander in the past couple of years: "None of this weird talk was happening while he was here" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Kobe Bryant's death remains one of the most tragic moments the sports world has ever seen. The entire basketball community, and quite honestly, anyone who ever picked up a basketball, was left in shock, covered in black. Advertisement The Los Angeles Lakers legend was always known for his fiery personality, his unapologetic attitude when it came to outworking everyone else in the gym, and his obsession with greatness at all costs. That same obsession could be a double-edged sword. It rubbed some the wrong way. But at the same time, those lucky enough to share the floor with him, whether as teammates or as rivals, knew what kind of legend he became. They can attest how good, no, great, Kob' was. And now, a few years removed from his passing, Matt Barnes is making it clear he's not feeling how some people are talking about Mamba's legacy today. "I don't like the energy around it," Barnes said on the recent "All The Smoke" podcast episode. "I just don't like it. Because none of this weird talk was going on while he was here." ESPN has Kobe at No. 10 And he's not wrong. While Kobe was here, nobody dared put him outside of that top tier. Because everyone knew Bryant would come back with that same fiery attitude that he had on the court. Nobody questioned how many guys you'd pick ahead of him if your life depended on winning a basketball game. Advertisement "It's not that I don't respect it, I just don't go by it. And I think a lot of former players don't go by it," Barnes added. "You gotta listen to what your peers are talking about. It's crazy when we look at ESPN, Kobe is always on the outside of (Top) 10. But when you talk about some of the guys that went to war before, after or with him, like, 'Yeah, yeah, Kobe is two, Kobe is three, Kobe is Top five.'" Take ESPN's rankings, for example. They've got Kobe sitting at No. 10, squeezed between Oscar Robertson (No. 9), a man who redefined the point guard position, and made triple-doubles seem like a regular thing and Shaquille O'Neal (No. 11). The same Shaq he won three straight titles in the City of Angels and took home three Finals MVPs just for good measure. And this is what's bugging Barnes. Because while Kobe's name might be sitting at 10 on some list cooked up in a meeting room, ask the players who had to try and stop him. Ask the guys who spent sleepless nights figuring out how to slow down the Mamba. They'll tell you straight: Kobe's in that top five conversation without blinking. The man built a resume that speaks for itself. Five rings, an 81-point night, a 60-piece in his final game and a mentality that became the standard for generations that came after him. Advertisement Related: Michael Jordan shows off his $115 million luxurious superyacht in Croatia Those who felt Bryant's wrath know the best Barnes wasn't trying to disrespect analysts. This wasn't about picking a fight with the people who make the lists or do the talking on TV. What he's saying is simple — the words that matter most come from the people who saw it up close. Barnes would know the best. After all, he's the guy who tried to make Kobe flinch on that iconic inbound pass. Mamba didn't budge. That's exactly what he did to the rest of the league as well. Related: "He wouldn't be the same player he is today" - Pippen doubts KD would be the same elite scorer if he played in the 80s/90s This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Matt Barnes rips Maurice Cheeks over how he treated him and former 76ers teammates: "That's probably why he's a lifelong assistant"
Matt Barnes rips Maurice Cheeks over how he treated him and former 76ers teammates: "That's probably why he's a lifelong assistant" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Matt Barnes logged 14 seasons in the NBA — a stretch long enough to form countless connections along the way. And as life tends to go — we all know it — some relationships turn out better than others. Advertisement Barnes would certainly agree, but with a sharp twist. Speaking recently on "The Rich Eisen Show," the former 6'7" forward said he rarely holds hate for anyone. Then came the punchline. "To this day, I don't dislike anyone," Barnes said, looking straight into the camera. Then, with a pointed finger, the California native added, "I dislike, still to this day, Mo Cheeks." Barnes' biggest grudge There's a saying in life: never meet your idols. Barnes, a former UCLA Bruin, learned why firsthand, shifting from admiration to outright disdain for Cheeks over the years. During the podcast episode, he recalled actually growing up as a big fan of Mo. And Barnes certainly wasn't the only one. After all, Cheeks was far from an ordinary player. Advertisement A four-time All-Star and five-time All-Defensive member, the Chicago native anchored the Philadelphia 76ers as a fundamentally sound point guard throughout the 1980s, including their remarkable 1983 championship run. He ranks seventh all-time in steals and 15th in assists in league history. More than his on-court excellence, the Hall of Famer earned a reputation as one of the NBA's all-time good guys. That reputation was cemented in 2003 when, as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, he famously helped a 13-year-old singer finish the national anthem after she stumbled during a playoff game — a truly memorable act of kindness. Related: "It's like Whack-a-Mole" - Cedric Maxwell recalls his unforgettable fight with Charles Barkley Tense Sixers stint Good guy? Barnes wouldn't exactly agree after his tense run with Cheeks during the 2005–06 Sixers season. At the time, the former was a raw talent trying to find his footing. At the same time, the latter was the head coach — and their relationship quickly unraveled. Advertisement Matt laid it out clearly. It started in the gym, him doing drills alongside the team's shooting coach, when Coach Cheeks casually dropped a barb: "I don't know why you're shooting. You're not going to get to shoot here." Probably meant as a joke, but the player didn't see the humor. "You're a head coach — you're saying that?" Barnes recalled thinking. Barnes explained that Mo still carried that player mentality — joking and bantering like the rest of the guys. But coming from a respected figure, that approach didn't sit well with him or several teammates, the 2017 NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors said. That aforementioned moment was bad, but things boiled over a week later. Advertisement During practice, the now co-podcat host of "All the Smoke" took a shot the head coach saw as "ill-advised," and Cheeks stopped everything to call out his player in front of the whole roster. "I was going to pounce on him," Matt remembered his reaction. "Luckily, Chris [Webber] grabbed me and stopped me." Ultimately, Barnes, outspoken as ever, couldn't resist a jab. He said Cheeks' poor treatment of players left a lasting, and not positive, impact. "That's probably why he's a lifelong assistant," the 45-year-old noted, alluding to the fact that Mo hasn't held a main role on the sidelines since the 2014–15 NBA regular season. Advertisement Related: "Are we seeing the end of an era with Giannis?" - Matt Barnes feels Giannis Antetokounmpo could be playing his last playoffs with the Bucks This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Disney Just Struck a Deal with Amazon. Should You Buy DIS Stock Here?
Disney (DIS) has reportedly formed a partnership with e-commerce giant and cloud services titan Amazon (AMZN) to enhance ad targeting for streaming television. Under this partnership, Amazon's Demand Side Platform (DSP) will have access to Disney's content library. Commenting on the partnership, which is expected to launch in the third quarter of this year, Matt Barnes, vice president of programmatic sales at Disney Advertising, sounded optimistic, 'By building a direct path connecting Amazon's commerce insights to the full scale of Disney's streaming ecosystem, we're enabling greater accessibility to inventory and audience signals that translate into meaningful results for advertisers leveraging Amazon DSP.' Dear Tesla Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for June 30 3 ETFs with Dividend Yields of 12% or Higher for Your Income Portfolio This Options Tool Can Show You How to Trade Tesla Stock Ahead of Robotaxi Day Markets move fast. Keep up by reading our FREE midday Barchart Brief newsletter for exclusive charts, analysis, and headlines. Now, although this is a positive development and makes the case for owning Disney stock even stronger, there are many more compelling reasons to own the 'House of the Mouse.' One of the most recognized global entertainment conglomerates, Disney's operations span across media, TV & cable networks, streaming platforms, and experiences. Disney owns vastly popular intellectual property such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Mickey Mouse, and Star Wars, among others. Commanding a market cap of $211.9 billion, DIS stock is up about 5.6% on a YTD basis and 15.5% over the past year. While the stock currently offers a dividend yield of 0.85%, Disney's payout ratio of just 15.8% leaves enough room for growth. Disney continues to demonstrate meaningful operational momentum under CEO Bob Iger, with recent results pointing to a sustained recovery. Since Iger resumed his role, the entertainment giant has posted compound annual growth rates of 7.07% in revenue and 43.76% in earnings, an indication that the restructuring efforts are beginning to deliver. Notably, in the second quarter of its fiscal 2025, Disney reported a top-line beat with revenue reaching $23.6 billion, up 6.8% from the year-ago period. The company also returned to profitability, swinging from a loss of $0.01 per share last year to earnings of $1.81 per share this quarter, comfortably surpassing analyst expectations. Cash flow metrics came in strong. Operating cash flow surged to $6.8 billion, up from $3.7 billion in the same quarter last year, while free cash flow rose to $4.9 billion from $2.4 billion. Overall, Disney's liquidity position remained solid as the company closed the quarter with a cash balance of $5.95 billion. Looking ahead, analyst consensus points to forward revenue growth of 4.1% and earnings growth of 16%, both of which outpace the sector median estimates of 3.24% and 11.33%. With operational metrics trending higher and renewed investor confidence, Disney appears to be regaining its footing in the post-pandemic media landscape. In this recent piece, I analyzed how Disney has opted for a two-pronged strategy to be on a sustainable growth path in the coming years. Headlined by its expansion in the physical realm, Disney is also making strategic moves in the digital space to streamline its offerings, along with undertaking new initiatives to develop new content. Meanwhile, Disney has also agreed to take full control of the streaming platform Hulu by paying Comcast (CMCSA) an additional $439 million. In Q2, total paid subscribers at Hulu were at 54.7 million, an increase of 9% from the previous year. Average monthly revenue per paid subscriber also increased slightly in the same period to $112.30, with popular shows like The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, and The Handmaid's Tale grabbing eyeballs and driving growth. Further strengthening Disney's overall performance, the theatrical distribution segment recently received a significant boost from the unexpected box office success of Lilo & Stitch. Encouragingly, even prior to this release, the business had already shown signs of momentum. In addition, Disney is setting the stage for another potential revenue catalyst with the planned rollout of a dedicated ESPN streaming platform. This new service would consolidate content from the traditional ESPN television channel, its existing subscription-based ESPN+ offering, and possibly include user-generated videos, creating a hybrid model somewhat akin to YouTube. Given ESPN+ already boasts more than 25 million subscribers, this expanded platform could generate substantial new revenue streams. Beyond subscriptions, additional upside could come from advertising, collaborations with sports betting operators, and other ancillary monetization channels. Altogether, Disney's approach, marked by thoughtful investments, adaptive pricing, and forward-looking leadership, places the company in a strong position to continue driving long-term shareholder value. Overall, analysts have attributed a rating of 'Strong Buy' for Disney stock with a mean target price of $126.69, which denotes upside potential of about 7.7% from current levels. Out of 29 analysts covering the stock, 21 have a 'Strong Buy' rating, two have a 'Moderate Buy' rating, and six have a 'Hold' rating. On the date of publication, Pathikrit Bose did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Insider
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Disney and Amazon (AMZN) Form a New Partnership to Improve Ad Targeting
Entertainment giant Disney (DIS) and tech firm Amazon (AMZN) have formed a new partnership to improve ad targeting for streaming TV, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Indeed, Disney's Real-Time Ad Exchange (called DRAX) will be linked with Amazon's Demand Side Platform (DSP) to help advertisers target the right audience. This means that advertisers using Amazon's system will now have better access to Disney's ad-supported content, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. As a result, viewers will see more relevant ads, and advertisers will be able to reach their ideal customers more easily. Confident Investing Starts Here: Interestingly, the deal was announced at the Cannes Lions advertising event, where both companies explained how this partnership brings together Amazon's shopping data with Disney's large streaming audience. For example, a pet food brand could target consumers who buy pet supplies on Amazon and watch pet-related shows on Disney platforms. Matt Barnes, VP of programmatic sales at Disney, highlighted how this partnership increases access to both inventory and viewer data, which ultimately helps advertisers drive better results. The new ad tools are expected to launch in the third quarter of 2025 and will be available internationally. Advertisers using Amazon's DSP will also get access to Disney+ content in countries like the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and more. According to Kelly MacLean, VP of Amazon DSP, this partnership benefits everyone, as brands reach the right people, Disney makes better use of its ad space, and viewers receive ads that are actually relevant to them. Which Stock Is the Better Buy?
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Disney, Amazon Expand Advertising Partnership
Disney and Amazon are teaming up to expand opportunities for advertisers, integrating the entertainment giant's Real-Time Ad Exchange with the tech giant's demand-side platform (DSP). The partnership, which was announced during Cannes Lions, will give buyers direct access to Disney+, ESPN and Hulu, as well as access to data from both companies for more precise targeting and efficient outcomes. For example, a pet food brand could reach viewers who both consume Disney content and have shown interest in pet products on Amazon. 'By building a direct path connecting Amazon's commerce insights to the full scale of Disney's streaming ecosystem, we're enabling greater accessibility to inventory and audience signals that translate into meaningful results for advertisers leveraging Amazon DSP,' Disney Advertising vice president of programmatic sales Matt Barnes said in a statement. Disney will begin implementing this expanded access with select advertisers in the coming months. Additionally, Disney+ inventory is now available through Amazon DSP in France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. 'This collaboration with Disney represents a significant leap forward in advertising effectiveness,' Amazon DSP vice president Kelly MacLean added. 'We're breaking down traditional barriers between content and commerce signals, allowing advertisers to deliver more meaningful experiences to viewers. By connecting Disney's premium content with Amazon's deep consumer understanding, we're creating advertising that works better for everyone — brands reach the right audiences, publishers maximize their inventory value and viewers see more relevant ads.' The agreement comes as Disney reaches a monthly ad-supported audience of 164 million users across Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu, while Prime Video has surpassed 130 million ad-supported users in the U.S. When combining Prime Video with Amazon's other owned and operated entertainment properties such as Twitch, MGM Studios, Wondery and Amazon Music, the tech giant's entertainment portfolio reaches an average monthly ad-supported audience of more than 300 million. The post Disney, Amazon Expand Advertising Partnership appeared first on TheWrap.
