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Memphis Grizzlies Rumors: Matt Barnes Suspended Two Games For His Role In Physical Altercation With New York Knicks Head Coach Derek Fisher

By Daniel Benjamin
Published on: 09:16 PST, Dec 28, 2015

Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes has been suspended two games for his role in a physical altercation with New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher that occurred back in October according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

According to a New York Post story on Oct. 7, Barnes drove 95-miles to confront Fisher at the home of his estranged wife, Gloria Govan, after being called by his six-year-old twin sons that Fisher was getting sultry with Govan.

The story went on to say that Barnes found Fisher at a bonfire in the backyard along with about 10 others and a fight broke out. Police were called but Fisher had already left the property and has declined to press charges.

Following the dustup, Barnes, 35, texted a pal that he had not only assaulted Fisher, 41, but also took revenge on Govan.

(photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images).
[Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images]
“I kicked his a** from the back yard to the front room, and spit in her face,” the text read, according to the source.

Barnes’ suspension will cost him $$41,676 according to Sportac. He will miss Memphis’ contests against the Miami Heat on Tuesday and the Utah Jazz on Saturday.

This is not the first time that the oft-volatile Barnes has gotten into trouble with the NBA for his on-and-off court behavior. Barnes has been hit with $6,000 worth of fines for three technical fouls this year.

Last year, during the playoffs, Barnes was fined $50,000 for “directing inappropriate language at a fan,” who happened to be Houston Rockets’ James Harden’s mother.

During the 2014-15 regular season, he was docked $25,000 during a game against the Phoenix Suns for cursing at a fan. Barnes lost another $25,000 for kicking a water bottle into the stands during a game against the Washington Wizards.

In 2013-14, Barnes paid out $50,000 in fines for failing to leave the court in a timely manner after being ejected from two games and for using strong language on his Twitter account.

Barnes was arrested for allegedly threatening a California cop who recognized him for an outstanding warrant for driving with a suspended license in 2012. He was also arrested in 2010 on suspicion of felony domestic violence against Govan, who was his fiancée at the time.

Overall, Barnes has been fined $303,071 for 35 incidents in his 13-year career. He has been slapped with 74 technicals and ejected on 11 occasions as well as been hit with 23 flagrant fouls.

How will Barnes absence effect the Grizzlies?

Barnes is a valuable member off the bench for the Grizzlies, who improved to 17-16 on the season with their 112-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

The 6-foot-7 small forward is averaging 8.6 points along with five rebounds 1.2 steals and 1.8 assists in 25.6 minutes a game. He is shooting 40.2 percent from the field and 31.9 percent from beyond the arc. Barnes also is an 80.5 percent free throw shooter this year.

What Barnes really brings to the table is toughness and determination. He acts as “an enforcer” and likes to get under his opponent’s skin, which helps him out on the defensive end. Barnes is also a complimentary player which is a perfect fit with the Grizzlies as he doesn’t need plays run for him to be effective.

According to NBA.com advanced stats Barnes is part of Grizzlies two most productive lineups. The Griz score 4.8 points more than their opponents when Barnes, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Courtney Lee and Zach Randolph are on the floor together. Memphis’ second most efficient lineup is Barnes, Conley, Gasol, Randolph and Tony Allen which has registered a 3.8 plus/minus rating.

Barnes, Jeff Green, Conley, Gasol and Randolph is the Grizzlies most effective defensive lineup.

As the stats indicate, Barnes is an integral part of Memphis’ rotation and while the disappointing Grizzlies (17-16) should survive during the two-game suspension, the team would suffer dramatically if he were out an extended period of time. Memphis is 15-0 when Barnes posts a positive plus/minus rating.

Memphis has already endured four losing streaks this season though none has last longer than two games. But if the Griz, who are currently slated as the sixth seed in the Western Conference, wants to avoid the top-three teams (Golden State, Oklahoma City and San Antonio) in the playoffs they need to find a rhythm offensively.

Memphis is currently 28th in the league in scoring (96.4 per game) and is among the league’s worst in field goal percentage (25th) and three-point percentage (29th).

Defensively, the Griz are much better, though not as good as they have been in the past. Memphis is giving up nearly 100 points a game and ranks 12th in total defense. Their defense is ranked second and third in the league for the last two seasons, respectively.

[Photo by Chuck Burton/Getty Images]

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