Top 10 Matt Barnes WTF Moments
As the 46th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, Matt Barnes wasn’t expected to have a long career.
But here we are 14 years later, and the 36-year-old is averaging a career high in minutes (34.2) and rebounds (7.3) for the Memphis Grizzlies.
You don’t survive in the NBA this long without some fire. And Matt Barnes has fire in abundance…almost too much, based on some of the crazy things that he’s done over his career.
That said, let’s look at 10 acts Barnes has done over his career that leave you saying, WTF!
Also, be sure to look at our recent list of WTF moments from Rajon Rondo.
1. Driving 95 Miles to “Beat the Shit” Out of Derek Fisher
In 2014, Matt Barnes separated from his wife and Basketball Wives star Gloria Govan. During the 2015 NBA offseason, Barnes kids told him that New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher was hanging out/dating with their mom.
Barnes left the Memphis Grizzlies’ California training camp to “drive 95 miles to beat the shit out of Fisher,” as one source told the New York Post. He found Fisher at a bonfire with Govan and 10 other people, then proceeded to fight his former friend and LA Lakers teammate.
The fallout was a two-game suspension for Barnes, then a $35,000 fine for saying that violence is sometimes the answer.
2. Barnes Arrested Twice within 2 Years
Early warning signs in Barnes and Govan’s relationship could be seen in 2010, when he was arrested for domestic violence against her. Barnes wrote, “Don’t let your ears witness, what your eyes didn’t see.”
Just two years later, Barnes was picked up on $26,000 worth of unpaid parking violations. He didn’t help his cause by telling the cop, “You’re the fucking faggot who followed me.”
3. Barnes Sued for Choking Woman at Nightclub
This incident is still ongoing at the time of this writing. But Matt Barnes and former Sacramento Kings teammate DeMarcus Cousins are being sued for a New York City nightclub brawl.
According to CBS Sports, Barnes is accused of choking a “possible girlfriend,” then punching a coupled who tried to break up the domestic dispute.
4. Fined $50,000 for Inappropriate Comment to James Harden’s Mother
During a 2015 conference semifinals game between the Houston Rockets and LA Clippers, Barnes yelled to James Harden’s mom to “Suck my dick, bitch.”
Harden wasn’t too happy about the incident, and neither was the NBA, fining Barnes $50,000.
5. Delusions of Grandeur about Rihanna
Back on the market after separating from his wife and fighting with Fisher, Matt Barnes was asked about rumors regarding him and signer Rihanna.
“Possibly, possibly,” said Barnes when asked about the relationship. “It’s past the crush stage, just a little bit though.”
She later made fun of him through her Instagram account, creating speculation that the relationship was all in Barnes’ head.
6. Barnes Rants on “Snitch” Fisher and “Liar” Rihanna
Then again….maybe there was something between Barnes and Rihanna. When speaking to the New York Post about how 2015 was the worst year of his life, Barnes not only called Fisher a snitch, but also claimed that Rihanna was lying about their fling.
On Fisher: “Guess cause I didn’t SNITCH, I get a 2 game suspension by the league ‘They call that LIFE. All this played out like a bad reality show, a nightmare, for your amusement & entertainment! For you to critique, make fun of, crack jokes & laugh about. . ‘What I shoulda did’ or what ‘y’all would have done’ Hmmmm. . . I say all this not for sympathy, because I had a hand in all the bad $h!t that happened.. I was never perfect in my relationship, I didn’t see eye to eye w my head coach.. I was warned SEVERAL times about ole girl & I introduced love ones to people who I ‘thought were FRIENDS”… Lesson Learned!!”
On Rihanna: “Lied on by a pop star Who’s lucky I stuck to the script & didn’t expose her lien ass Funny thing about texts & pics is they DONT LIE! I Guess.”
7. Barnes Throws Worst Inbounds Pass Ever
Not every WTF moment from Barnes involves fighting, ejections, or chasing after Rihanna. Just take a look at this inbounds pass from him, which goes right into the hands of Steph Curry.
8. Barnes & Kids Join “Taliban Gang” for Call of Duty
Getting ready for a Call of Duty session with his sons, Barnes posted on Instagram that he and his kids were forming the Taliban gang.
This was Barnes’ attempt at lighthearted humor, but many people took offense to the picture, which showed he and his kids with Nerf guns and covered faces.
9. Fined $25k for Cussing Out Phoenix Suns Owner
The incident between Barnes and Harden’s mom wasn’t the only issue he’s had with high-profile fans. In 2015, he cussed out Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver and was fined $25,000 afterward.
But it seems like Barnes had a legitimate excuse in claiming that Sarver “cussed at me first.” Nevertheless, it was Barnes paying the fine.
10. Fined Another $25k for Kicking a Water Bottle
Another time that Barnes drew a $25,000 fine was when he kicked a water bottle into the stands at Washington and cussed out a fan.
We can only hope that Barnes doesn’t look back on all of these fines later and wish that he had the collective 6-figure amount back.
