Barnes didn't accept 2017 ring from Warriors: 'I got a free ride'

Despite winning a title with the Golden State Warriors in 2017, Matt Barnes doesn't consider himself an NBA champion.

Barnes and Stephen Jackson were joined on a recent episode of Showtime's "All The Smoke" by Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady, who said he wouldn't have been able to accept his ring with the San Antonio Spurs if they defeated the Miami Heat in the 2013 NBA Finals.

"I got a free ride," Barnes said. "I got a free ring. So that's (why) when they say, 'NBA champ,' I don't count myself as an NBA champ for the exact same reason you said. The journey is what makes you want to say, 'Yeah, I helped.'"

Barnes said he never accepted the ring from 2017 and left it with Warriors senior vice president of communications Raymond Ridder.

"I wasn't in the motherf------ doghole with these dudes," he added. "I didn't get to guard LeBron (James), ... Kawhi (Leonard), so I didn't count my shit. So I feel you."

Barnes played for nine different teams across 14 seasons in his career. He signed with the Warriors in March 2017 when Kevin Durant was out with an MCL sprain.