From 2010-2012, Matt Barnes and Derek Fisher were teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers. Now however, they could be the worst of enemies.
Initial reports from the New York Post say that Matt Barnes drove 95 miles to his former Los Angeles home to confront Derek Fisher who was dating his estranged wife Gloria Govan.
Barnes was reportedly irate at the fact of his former teammate seeing his ex-wife, something he allegedly found out through his sons, Carter and Isaiah.
A fight reportedly ensued at about 11:45 p.m. and the police were called to check in the incident.
According to witnesses, the two went at it with Barnes punching Fisher in the mouth with a closed fist and the Knicks coach engaging him as well en route to the scuffle.
Barnes claims that he gave Fisher a beating and even spit on his ex-wife Gloria. As far as the beating part is concerned, it wasn’t as one-sided as Barnes claimAs far as the beating part is concerned, it wasn’t as one-sided as Barnes claims.
“Matt came after Derek, but he only had a few scratches,” the source said via the NY Post. “Derek’s not going to press charges; he’s going to let it go.”
Fisher has reportedly been dating Barnes’ ex-wife, though it wasn’t mentioned for how long. The Knicks head coach is divorced from his previous wife Candace, something that happened back in March.
Candace Fisher claims that she was blindsided by the divorce, something that happened only one month after their 10th anniversary.
Right now, personal issues seem to be piling up on D-Fish with the widespread report involving him and now ex-friend Barnes.
"In terms of distraction and how players feel about distraction, et cetera, we'll see how it goes for our team," Fisher said via ESPN. "It's unfortunate. But it is what it is at this point."
As far as Barnes is concerned, he clarifies that he did not drive 95 miles just to pick a fight with Fisher. He says that he lives 15-minutes away and lives at a home in Marina del Rey.
According to the NBA enforcer, he was indeed texted by his son. He eventually ended up using FaceTime to check on Carter was obviously bothered by something. He alleged that he could see his son and obviously knows that something is bothering him.
"I can't believe people think I was some maniac driving 95 miles and listening to Tupac to go beat somebody up," Barnes said. "No. I live 15 minutes away, and I was going over to check on my kids because they seemed uncomfortable. That was my main reason for going over there."
As things stand now, it remains to be seen what the NBA will decide on the matter. Other than that, there could be legal proceedings coming forth.
Whatever happens, it should be interesting to see how the two former friends and teammates will be when the New York Knicks and the Memphis Grizzlies face off. Memphis will host the Knicks on January 16, 2016 at the Fedex Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.