Matt Barnes Makes Good with Laker Players and Fans Alike

Before Matt Barnes was introduced as the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers today he had already begun his most important task to date – making inroads with his new teammates and fans.

It was just a few months ago that Barnes drew the ire of both the Lakers and their faithful fans for his childish taunting of Kobe Bryant during a regular season clash. What followed was Barnes unleashing a Twitter tirade directed towards Lamar Odom.

What a difference a Purple and Gold uniform can make. Just ask Odom who made no bones about having Barnes as a teammate.

"“He’s a teammate now,” Odom said while in Las Vegas for USA Basketball training camp on Saturday. “That was an on-the-court issue and he has a Lakers jersey on now, so it will be no big thing.”"

Barnes exchanged texts with KB24 during the past couple weeks in hopes of smoothing out their dicey relationship. Barnes had an interesting way of describing his newfound “friendship” with the best player on the planet.

"“Kobe has been the driving force behind this. I have been talking to Kobe back and forth like we were boyfriend and girlfriend for the last two weeks and sending us texts and talking. It feels good when you have the best player in the world in your corner and Kobe is definitely in my corner. He sent me a crazy text message today saying something like, anyone crazy enough to mess with me is crazy enough to play with me. So I think that was a good tone to set and I think I am ready to be a Laker.”"

Perhaps most importantly of all are the fans. Barnes knows that he’s got a lot of work to do in order to gain the trust and support of those who will be paying to see him play this season. Ironically, Barnes chose to once again use Twitter to get his message to Laker fans.

"Quick question?? All those LAKER fans that hated me you rolln or yall still cool on me…. Hahahaa We family now rite???????????????????????"