Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes welcomes the players association filing a grievance on his behalf regarding the two-game suspension without pay he served earlier this month. He just doesn't think the appeal will hold up.
The National Basketball Players Association wants the NBA to return the $64,000 in salary Barnes was docked when he suspended in late December.
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“I appreciate the support I’ve got from not only my peers throughout the NBA but (also the) NFL and from the entertainment world,” Barnes told ESPN. “It means a lot that the NBAPA (sic) has filed an appeal on my behalf, but I won’t hold my breath. I’ve never had so much as a tech rescinded, I highly doubt I’ll be reimbursed a dime of that suspension money.”
Barnes, 35, was suspended after he got into a fight with Knicks coach Derek Fisher in October. He reportedly punched Fisher in the face after he learned Fisher was dating his estranged wife, Gloria Govan.
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The melee ended when one of Barnes' children asked them to stop. Fisher declined to file charges, but the NBA got involved and handed down the suspension.
At one point, Barnes and Fisher were friends and teammates. They played together on the Lakers just a few years ago.
The Knicks and Grizzlies will meet in Memphis on Saturday.