Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes has to pay up to the tune of $35,000 due to inappropriate comments made about one-time teammate and friend Derek Fisher.
Barnes and Fisher got into an off-the court altercation back in October over Barnes’ ex-wife Gloria Govan. While Fisher hasn’t publicly spoke on the incident, Barnes has been very vocal.
“There’s support throughout the league, other leagues, GMs, owners, entertainers, actors, everybody,” Barnes said of the support he received after the brawl. “It’s been a great support. Every man who looks at the situation knows what’s right and wrong. Violence is never the answer, but sometimes it is. And unfortunately, it happened.”
“I don’t regret it. Like, man to man knows who’s wrong and who’s right. The NBA decided to step in and did what they did. But it is what it is.”
The league didn’t take too kindly to Barnes’ support of violence and fined the 6-foot-7 ball player.
“Matt Barnes’ comments condoning violence do not reflect who we are as a league or the character of our players,” NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Kiki Van DeWeghe said. “His words are unacceptable and entirely inconsistent with the core principles of this game and the NBA.”