Matt Barnes to Host Charity Game in San Jose

Even without actual NBA games to play, many pro hoopers are still finding ways to stay on the court. Lakers forward Matt Barnes is doing so by organizing a charity game on November 5 in San Jose, in which the 2007 Golden State Warriors will face the current Warriors, according to the L.A. Times: “With the NBA lockout appearing at a standstill, Lakers forward Matt Barnes will host an exhibition Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at San Jose Events Center featuring the 2007 Golden State Warriors and the current team, according to Barnes’ publicist, Courtney Merfeld. Not all the details are finalized, including when tickets go on sale, how much they cost, which players have committed to playing and what portion of the proceeds will go to Barnes’ foundation, Athletes vs. Cancer. Barnes, who’s hosting the event with former Warriors guard Jason Richardson, originally hoped for the event to take place in late October, but Merfeld said more time was needed to put the event together. The Warriors’ 2007 team, which featured Barnes, remains memorable because of its first-round upset against the top-seeded Mavericks. With the current Warriors inheriting a new coach (Mark Jackson) and new ownership (Joe Lacob, Peter Guber), the story lines appear compelling. ‘The guys are eager to play,’ Merfeld said. ‘They’re going to be playing for charity as well. It’s a win-win situation.'”