Matt Barnes Warns Derek Fisher To Stay Away From Him

Matt Barnes has some advice for Derek Fisher for Saturday night’s game – or maybe it was a warning: Don’t even try to discuss this.

“I just don’t like him. Plain and simple. He knows I don’t like him,” the Grizzlies' Barnes said ahead of Saturday night’s contest against the Knicks. “Don’t say nothing to me, I don’t plan on saying nothing to him. Don’t try to shake my hand. There’s none of that. There’s nothing there. There never will be. Just stay away from me basically.”

Barnes reiterated that he’s garnered support from people all over for his actions against Fisher, who was reportedly dating his estranged wife when the fight occurred. Barnes, who was suspended two games (resulting in lost wages of about $64,000), said he has no regret about going after his former friend and Lakers teammate.

“No, every man who looks at the situation knows what’s right and wrong. Violence is never the answer, but sometimes it is,” he said. “And unfortunately, it happened. I don’t regret it. Like, man to man knows who’s wrong and who’s right. The NBA decided to step in and did what they did. But it is what it is.”

According to Barnes, the message from supporters – who include people “throughout the league, other leagues, GMs, owners. Entertainers. Actors. Everybody” -- has been that he took the appropriate action.

“Everyone from the top to bottom would’ve done the same thing. When it comes to family, it’s family. Unfortunately, you have to watch who you call friends these days. That’s it,” he said.

“I guess people just come up different ways and I guess he just came up in a different way,” Barnes added, referring to Fisher. “So I can’t really say what I want to say because I’ve already been fined and suspended so. It is what it is.”

Fisher, meanwhile, has been silent on the subject despite having insults hurled at him for months. Barnes said he isn’t surprised the Knicks coach hasn’t responded.

“Because he knows he’s wrong. You know what I mean?” Barnes said. “And he already took one loss (in the fight). So what’s the point?”

Barnes, who as accrued too many suspensions and fines to list over his 15-year career, said he has to be on high alert for this game because “everything I do has to be on alert.” He said he’ll try to avoid any incident tonight at FedEx Forum.

“I know that I’m important to the team, and anything I do can affect -- me getting suspended is not good for the team.”

Not even stare down the Knicks bench after a 3-pointer?

“It’s not even worth it. I hope I hit more than one (3-pointer),” Barnes said. “But we need to get a win tonight more than anything.”

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