Although we've all probably heard nearly enough of that much ado about nothing against the Rockets and sage advice that may pass for wisdom, but let's do get to the bottom of this.

Barnes bitch move was most like the power block that sends a basketball out of bounds and into the stands.  It's a statement.  It's an energizer.  It's a crowd-pleaser and a fan favorite. 

However, it's also bad basketball.  You know it and I know it.  That's why we're here.  All a power block does is put the ball back in the hands of the opponent when a soft block could have easily deflected the ball to a teammate and earned a possession. 

What Barnes did was the power block.  Praise his toughness.  Praise his fire.  Sure.  But it was bad basketball.  How does a tough guy really handle a hard pick?  How about setting a few himself?  Get a knee in the thigh?   Don't get mad and throw a clothesline or a haymaker or a cheap shot and then complain about the big mean Rockets on the radio.    How about simply returning the favor?  How about returning the favor when it could actually help the game rather than when you're down 16 going on 19?   Sure, maybe Barnes could have gotten away with chucking his man a had Rafer not come back to him.  But aren't there more subtle ways of doing it?  Besides, why not put a hand in TMac's face while he shot that open 3 instead of hitting Alston? 

What we saw was someone getting upset because he's supposed to be lockdown defender and got shined down not by big star TMac but by another bit player making his way in the NBA.  Alston's 15 in the first half was way bigger than TMac's 22 in the 2nd half.   We saw futility and frustration, not tough basketball.  Tough basketball, if played well, you won't see at all but hear about it in the radio shows and quotes of opposing players.