"It wasn't about me & my ex-wife" - Matt Barnes opens up on quashing beef with former Lakers' teammate
Former NBA champion Matt Barnes starred in a couple of controversial moments during his career in the association. Besides his short-lived feud with Kobe Bryant, Barnes had issues with another former teammate.
After almost 10 years since a big fight broke out between him and Derek Fisher, the 2017 NBA champion opened up on how he ended the beef that included Barnes driving 95 miles to beat Fisher who was apparently involved with his then-estranged wife, Gloria Govan.
"At the end of the day, it wasn't about me and my ex-wife, it was about my kids' safety and growth as a man, because at the time that happened, I was still in the league so I wasn't really seeing my kid a ton. I would see him in the summertime, but during the season it was hard 'cause I didn't live in LA," Barnes explained in a new episode of "Third and Long."(2:08)
Barnes added that he gave some advice to Fisher after the latter married Govan, and made it clear what he expected from him as a step-father.
"I gave him the, 'Hey, you know you gotta be a role model for them, you gotta discipline them, you gotta show them how to be a man when I'm not around'... He's been a great step-father for my sons."
The brawl occurred in 2015, with Matt Barnes driving 95 miles to "beat the s**t' out of Fisher," Ian Mohr of the New York Post reported at the time.
"A fight erupted at 11:45 p.m. between the 235-pound Barnes and the 6-1, 200-pound Fisher. Cops were called, but Fisher left before they arrived, the sources said."
Back in 2021, Matt Barnes admitted he had no problem with Fisher whatsoever, ending one of the fiercest beef the NBA has seen in recent decades.
Matt Barnes claps back at people criticizing Bronny James
Matt Barnes made the rounds in the NBA world in recent hours, responding to people who think Bronny James will be a "poor man's Davion Mitchell." Barnes didn't take these comments kindly and had a long response for doubters.
"But people don’t have to read into this negativity. That’s 2 out of 30 teams," Barnes commented in a now deleted post by "NBA Today" insider Marc J. Spears. "It only takes one team to like you!! And I highly doubt the Lakers are gonna pass him up. ... Rooting against an 18yr old is weirdo energy."
Bronny has been linked with the Los Angeles Lakers in recent weeks, but the Utah Jazz are considered a potential landing spot for him as well. Following a notable Combine performance, many teams might take a look at Bronny and consider him an option for the upcoming draft.