Second Thoughts

Barnes: Nothing to say to Fish

Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes still holds a grudge against New York Knicks Coach Derek Fisher over a fight that took place at Barnes’ estranged wife Gloria Govan’s home in October.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes still holds a grudge against New York Knicks Coach Derek Fisher over a fight that took place at Barnes’ estranged wife Gloria Govan’s home in October.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes told the New York Daily News this week that he won't try to talk to New York Knicks Coach Derek Fisher when their teams meet today in Memphis. He again made unflattering marks about Fisher and said he can't wait until his professional basketball days are over.

"I don't talk to snakes," Barnes told the Daily News. "I know I got to keep my mouth shut because then he'll run and tell. So we're focused on playing that team. And when I'm retired, him and I will cross paths again."

It appears the Barnes-Fisher saga isn't over.

In early October, the two of them got into a fight at Barnes' estranged wife's home in Los Angeles. Gloria Govan was reportedly dating Fisher, and the New York Post quoted a source saying Barnes "went crazy." Barnes told ESPN, however, that he went over there because he was worried about his sons.

Barnes said in November that Fisher (Little Rock Parkview, UALR) should not have told the police and the NBA about the incident, as they are "two grown men who should have handled two grown men's business," according to the Los Angeles Times. In late December, the league suspended Barnes for two games.

Barnes posted a long caption on an Instagram photo on New Year's Day, where he called 2015 the "worst year of my life" and called Fisher a snake and a snitch, saying that the whole thing "played out like a bad reality show." Govan is a former reality star.

Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday that the NBPA filed a grievance on Barnes' behalf to get his suspension rescinded. On Thursday, Barnes said that the players association's appeal "means a lot," but he highly doubts he'll "be reimbursed a dime of that suspension money," according to ESPN.

Barnes told the Daily News that he doesn't want the league to discipline Fisher, but he "always knew the NBA would come down hard on me." Over the past three months, Fisher has repeatedly declined to comment on the situation.

Historic tribute

Since Kobe Bryant announced his retirement, the NBA has expressed a variety of tributes to the Los Angeles Lakers guard, but the superstar turned the tables on Golden State's Draymond Green.

The Warriors hosted the Lakers on Thursday night for Bryant's last appearance in Oracle Arena. Green acknowledged his respect for Bryant before the game, and Bryant responded in kind afterward.

He not only gifted Green his game-worn shoes but also added with his autograph a handwritten dedication telling the Warriors forward to "Make History."

The Warriors are currently 37-3 and are on pace to better the Chicago Bulls' record of 72 victories in the 1995-96 season.

No encore

Jordan Spieth isn't quite ready for an encore to last year's season on the PGA Tour in which he won the first two majors, the Masters and U.S. Open.

Spieth told The Associated Press before winning the Tournament of Champions last weekend that he dislikes the word "encore."

"Doesn't an encore mean that the show is then over?" asked Spieth. "I hope I've got like 40 years out here. If we're calling [it] like I've just had my first half of my career, and here's the [deal] I'd like to just, again, to be honest, I'm not thinking of this as anything different."

QUIZ

Where did Golden State forward Draymond Green play college basketball?

ANSWER

Michigan State

Sports on 01/16/2016

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