On Monday, Matt Barnes of the Memphis Grizzlies finally commented on the alleged physical altercation that reportedly took place between him and his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Derek Fisher.
“We’re two grown men who should have handled two grown men’s business, but he wanted to run and tell the cops and the NBA,” Barnes told the Los Angeles Times.
The alleged altercation took place in October and was allegedly precipitated by the fact that Fisher was in a relationship with Barnes’ estranged wife, Gloria Govan. Fisher, who is currently head coach of the New York Knick, reportedly met Govan at a house that Barnes and Govan used to share.
After the altercation, Fisher said, “My state of mind — like I talked to the guys a few minutes ago — is personal, and private matters are personal and private. I’ve been through a lot in life. Sometimes, we go through things we can’t or can control. I’m here. I’m focused. It’s not something that’s going to take me away from what we’re trying to do.”
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
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