MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Grizzlies players are used to the cameras and reporters.
At a shoot-around Thursday, everyone had one question, for one player: “What happened, Matt Barnes?”
“What happened Saturday is a personal matter at this point,” Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes said.
The story is blowing up the airwaves.
Barnes, who recently signed with the Grizzlies, is estranged from his wife Gloria Govan, who lives in their home in Los Angeles. Govan is reportedly dating Barnes’ ex-teammate and now Knicks coach Derek Fisher.
Barnes, in Santa Barbara for Grizzlies Training Camp on Saturday, reportedly learned that Govan had Fisher over at their L.A. home. According to the New York Post, Barnes hopped in his car for a 95-mile ride to L.A. to allegedly beat up Fisher.
We asked Barnes if that was about the size of it.
“Being around this league long enough, my first concern is my kids and always their health, happiness and safety,” Barnes said.
He wouldn’t say exactly what happened.
“I am here to focus on basketball,” he said. “By being here early, I don’t want to start it off by having anything negative.”
Govan and Barnes’ relationship was already front and center in the reality show “Basketball Wives L.A.” Now it’s playing out on another court.
“Like right now we need to focus on basketball. All the real details will come out at some point,” Barnes said. “Right now we are focusing on basketball.”
That seems to be the mindset of the team as well.
“It’s a personal matter, no matter what happened or didn’t happen, he is a Memphis Grizzly,” Grizzlies coach David Joerger said. “Besides, I love him to death. If he felt like he was wronged, I would listen, give him advice and support him.”
So what about Derek Fisher? We asked Barnes about their relationship.
“We were friends. We were good friends at one point,” Barnes said. “I know you guys want me to give you more. At this point there is a legal process that must take place. The NBA is doing an investigation, so right now I am not at liberty to speak on it, but all the facts will come out.”
There is one thing Barnes and Joerger agree on. Whatever happened, it won’t be a distraction when it comes to the game.
“As a professional athlete, you have to be able to separate your personal life from your professional life,” Barnes said. “I am here to play basketball, so there won’t be any distractions.”
According to news reports, police in California investigated but decided charges will not be filed against Barnes.