NBA: Grizzlies’ Barnes takes to social media to kiss 2015 goodbye
MEMPHIS, TENN.— Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes has expressed his frustration on social media about 2015, what he describes as “the worst year of his life.”
Barnes, serving a two-game suspension for what the NBA has described as a “physical altercation” with New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher, posted on Instagram: “Thank God For 2016!”
Barnes, 35, posted the message “Success happens when you survive all of your mistakes” on his account and wrote about how a former teammate “went behind my back, messed w/ my ex, got caught, got dealt w/ for being a snake, then ran & told the Police & NBA.”
Barnes wrote on the post he had to walk away from the only thing he’s ever wanted, “MY OWN FAMILY.” He noted that, “They call that karma.” Barnes, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, also said he was traded from a city and team that he loved, writing, “They call that the business.”
Grizzlies spokesman Jason Wallace declined comment on Barnes’ post.
A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press in October an incident between Barnes and Fisher occurred while the Knicks coach attended a gathering at the home of Barnes’ estranged wife, Gloria Govan.
Redondo Beach police responded to an incident Oct. 3 but disclosed no information on the location or who was involved after finding no basis for criminal charges.
The six-foot-seven Barnes will conclude his suspension by sitting out Saturday night’s game at Utah. He missed the team’s 99-90 overtime victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday.
The Grizzlies traded for Barnes on draft day in June. Barnes has played 33 games with the Grizzlies (18-16) and is averaging 8.6 points and five rebounds per game.
Fisher, 41, is in his second season with the Knicks after spending most of his playing career in Los Angeles.