Daily Dad News

Los Angeles Lakers Players Jason Kapono, Matt Barnes Share Fatherhood Bond

January 25, 2012

Los Angeles Lakers players Jason Kapono and Matt Barnes may not be household names to the average fan yet they help fill holes in Coach Mike Brown’s offense and defensive schemes in a variety of invaluable ways. The sharpshooting Kapono, a new father of twin girls, is now taking coaching from his defensively-minded teammate Barnes, a father of 3-year twin boys, forming a bond that extends beyond the STAPLES Center floor.

“You get overcome with all the emotional things that come with having kids,” Kapono said to the Los Angeles Times’ Lakers Now blog about witnessing the birth of his girls Isla and Campbell. “When I hear the letter 'D,' I think about diapers now.” Dad has been up late nights fitting into his new role between playing tough stretches of games with his Lakers squad.

Matt Barnes, the savvy veteran dad, advised the rookie father as best he could. “He's going to have to learn how to nap when the kids nap. The kids at their age are up every two hours.” Matt Barnes already cautioned Kapono to not play matchmaker with their kids. “Keep his daughters away from my sons,” said Barnes jokingly.

Kapono has fallen in love fast with his baby girls, and already has a favorite activity. “I think feeding them," Kapono said. "Just because when they get up from a nap or sleeping or whatever it's just fun to see all the little weird things they do.”

"They're always moving, smiling, making faces, sticking their tongue out. It's their way of telling you how they feel,” he continued.

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