“Co-parenting is probably the toughest situation that I’ve had to deal…” It is never easy, never was. But some break the ceiling, come out strong, all for one reason. The wellness of the child. So, in an era where fatherhood is often simplified into Hallmark moments and hashtag tributes, few public figures manage to give it genuine emotional weight. But when the NBA legend Matt Barnes appeared in a new campaign by Legends, flanked by his son Ashton Joseph Barnes, it became a statement and displayed how Matt is serious about his venture. It made an observation about family history, direction, and the thread that runs through generations that are invisible. And all of these amid a troubling growth.
The father and son pictured together showed something that is becoming less common: a fatherhood that isn’t just a performance, wrapped in style and based in sincerity. Barnes’ story as a parent has been well-documented over the years, and many questioned him. Now, he is slowly changing what it means to be a present father. He moves into a new area where he isn’t trying to prove anything to the public but rather giving his son something important. The post itself isn’t just brand work; it’s about personal evolution.
The Legends campaign, launched in Los Angeles ahead of Father’s Day, is titled “Rooted in GREATNESS” and showcases a visual celebration of paternal bonds. The post’s caption reads, “Greatness isn’t just born, it’s passed down,” spotlighting the brand’s limited-edition Father’s Day Collection. Matt Barnes, seen resting a guiding hand on Ashton’s shoulder, didn’t need a caption of his own to say much—his short comment, “This is ,” said everything. Fellow NBA veteran Dwyane Wade chimed in with, “Love ,” affirming what viewers already sensed: the message was bigger than the clothes.
But when Barnes was beaming with a plan next to his son, a quite different story was developing online. Barnes’s ex, Anansa Sims, went wild on Instagram Stories on May 10: “Why, Matt?? Eight different women in January ” Though removed quickly, screenshots moved quickly, and the aftermath rekindled long-standing conflicts between the ex-couple. For Sims, whose life has centered on raising five children from blended homes, the emotional cost of solo parenting and the difficulty of searching for love once again surfaced in real time.
Matt Barnes’ Ex opens up about dating doubts and the weight of public breakups
During a candid April 2024 interview with Athleisure Mag, Sims described her life as a whirlwind of carpools, practices, and emotional triage. “My full-time job right now is my kids,” she said, half laughing, half sighing. Sims’ afternoons seem more like obstacle courses than quiet parenting, with her older kids juggling several sports and academic responsibilities. Though she has welcomed the condition, she has not hesitated to acknowledge the isolation that sometimes sneaks in.
Her appearance on The Jasmine Brand, when Sims remembered a painful remark, “I remember being told, ‘Nobody’s gonna want your three kids, ‘” still haunts her and made that vulnerability all the more apparent. She acknowledged that overcoming those early doubts has been a personal trip despite her DMs telling a different narrative now, and is also flooded with messages from those who appreciate her motherhood. Though her own mother’s affirmations assist, the belief in herself is still a work in progress.
Barnes, on the other hand, has been on a different path with one of emotional reckoning and self-discovery. In a raw sit-down with martial arts coach Jason Wilson, he admitted: “Through my actions, I literally just lost my family… I wasn’t there emotionally. I wasn’t empathetic.” That wake-up call pushed Barnes into counseling, where he began confronting the childhood wounds still shaping his adult self. “Little Matt from back then is still hurt and still trying to find his way” he admitted. In a big change from the past, he is now ready to look into therapy and emotional intelligence.
Still, Barnes doesn’t appear to be closing the door on love completely. On The Truth After Dark podcast, he mused, “Marriage… I’m not afraid. It’s not out of the picture for me… maybe at 50, 55, even 60.” His present condition aligns more towards redemption and less towards romance, and may be reflected in that lengthy chronology. However, some critics say that this story has become too focused on Barnes, which could blindside the emotional work Sims has done during their relationship and split.
As the Father’s Day campaign celebrates legacy and fatherhood, it also casts a shadow on things that can’t be ignored. Barnes is publicly embracing emotional growth and is completely focused on building his legacy. Sims, on the other hand, is still navigating the weight of single motherhood as she continues to embrace it.
The post Matt Barnes’ Bond with Son Shines in New Venture, Amid Ex Anansa Sim’s Confession on Single Parenthood appeared first on EssentiallySports.
