LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 22: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers greets Matt Barnes #22 of the Memphis Grizzlies after the game on March 22, 2016 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images

Matt Barnes Says Kobe Bryant Is 'Breaking Down Barriers' After Oscar Win

Alec NathanMar 6, 2018

Former NBA swingman Matt Barnes had nothing but praise for Kobe Bryant after the Black Mamba took home the Oscar for best animated short Sunday at the 90th Academy Awards.

"I think it's dope," Barnes told TMZ Sports of Bryant's win for Dear Basketball. "He's breaking down barriers, still being great. So he's definitely paving the road for the rest of us."

Barnes, who retired from the Association in December, is set to make his own foray into film as he prepares to produce a biopic about Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton.

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"We're assembling the cast, talking to a few directors right now," he said. "We've got the funding, the script, so we're definitely coming with that pretty soon."