Prior to facing his old LA Clippers teammates and coaches Monday night, Matt Barnes addressed his recent fight with New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher.
Barnes is annoyed with Fisher’s reaction to the tussle, blaming him for the battle having become tabloid fodder.
Matt Barnes on Derek Fisher: "We're 2 grown men who should have handled 2 grown men's business, but he wanted to run and tell the cops & NBA
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) November 9, 2015
Matt Barnes: "The New York Post is run by the New York Knicks, so it's obviously a way of trying to make me look like the bad guy."
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) November 9, 2015
Barnes, given his volatile and polarizing personality, didn’t know what to expect from Clipper fans last night.
Matt Barnes on fan reaction: "With me, you never know. There's a handful of people who love me and a handful of people who hate me."
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) November 9, 2015
Matt Barnes continued on fan reaction: "And there's a handful of people who want to chant, 'Derek Fisher,' so it will be interesting."
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) November 9, 2015
L.A. eked out a 94-92 win against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.
Per the OC Register:
“It’s bittersweet,” Barnes said before the game. “You know I had a lot of good times here. L.A.’s home but I’m in Memphis now and I’m excited to get the opportunity to play against my former teammates.” […] Barnes checked into the game in the first quarter to appreciative applause from the Staples Center crowd. Moments earlier, a video tribute showed highlights from his days in a Clippers uniform and he raised his hand twice acknowledging the crowd.
“The trade happened, I ended up in Memphis,” said Barnes. “It’s a solid situation, especially since this is the team the Clippers always went to war with in the playoffs. So to be traded to Memphis and still have a chance to win was a blessing and I have to find my way around the team a little bit and find my way around the city, but I’m happy.”
On Monday, Barnes didn’t throw any elbows, jaw with the referees or get a technical foul. He calmly went about tallying 8 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist, not showing any underlying animosity that remains from being sent packing across the country. […] Any leftover ill will seems to rest with Clippers coach Doc Rivers, who made the decision to trade Barnes. When asked about Rivers, Barnes would only say “Doc is Doc. He’s the head coach of the Clippers.”
