Matt Barnes Speaks Out on Ibaka, L.A. Clippers, and More

Feb 23, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka (9) dunks the ball against Los Angeles Clippers small forward Matt Barnes (22) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies’ Matt Barnes was recently live on ESPN, discussing his hatred for Serge Ibaka, playing against the L.A. Clippers, and more.

There has not been much news or conversation in relation to one of the Memphis Grizzlies’ new acquisitions of the summer–Matt Barnes–since he was traded to the Grizz in late-June.

There has been no official press conference hosted by the Grizzlies introducing Barnes. He has not made a tweet or post on social media regarding the trade to Memphis.

Strange, huh?!

Do not worry, Grizz Nation. Matt Barnes was invited onto the ESPN daytime set a few days ago and broke his silence–on quite a few subjects, including touchy ones. The topics included Serge Ibaka of the OKC Thunder, the Los Angeles Clippers, and his new teammates of the Memphis Grizzlies.

One of FanSided‘s partners, 120 Sports, has the entire story behind the Ibaka-Barnes tension, which was by far the biggest highlight of the day when Barnes hit the ESPN set.

This is the full incident (below) being discussed, which originally occurred in 2013.

This latest statement by Barnes will make every Memphis Grizzlies versus Oklahoma City Thunder matchup extremely entertaining based off the attention given to Serge Ibaka and Matt Barnes. Nonetheless, the Thunder and Grizz are expected to be two of the top teams in the Western Conference in the 2015-16 season, so there should be great dueling games being played.

Will a hard foul escalate the bad blood between Serge and Matt? It is very possible. Things had already gotten ugly in the infamous Thunder/Clippers game featuring the initial altercation.

Speaking of the Clippers, Matt Barnes spoke to ESPN in the segment on the topic of facing his former team next season.

Matt has been with the Los Angeles Clippers since the start of the 2012-13 season, but also played the first 38 professional games of his career with the Clips before heading to the Sacramento Kings. He became a fan favorite in L.A. during his second stretch there, even while playing with the Lakers prior to joining the Clippers.

Now that he is in Memphis following two quick trades, does Barnes still have a “brotherhood” formed with his past teammates of the Los Angeles Clippers?

Feb 8, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots the ball in front of Los Angeles Clippers forward Matt Barnes (22) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

In his television interview on ESPN, Barnes stated that the Los Angeles Clippers, even his closest teammates, “are now the enemy.”

That is sweet music to Grizz fans’ ears!

There is a gnarly rivalry between the Clips and the Memphis Grizzlies. Grizz Nation has loathed Barnes for his instigation of technical fouls, hard fouls, and the like over the past several seasons, but now, all is well between fans and Barnes. He is on our side now. The good side.

ESPN continued their discussion of fighting (i.e. Serge Ibaka) and Barnes’ new teammates and surroundings. They asked him who would “scrap” first–him (Matt Barnes), Zach Randolph, or Tony Allen.

His response?

“All three of us.”

Grizz Nation can certainly understand this. The Memphis Grizzlies do not bluff, especially Z-Bo. We all know Tony Allen, the Grindfather, never backs down either. The Grizzlies should be the favorites in winning a “toughest team in the NBA” award if there were such a thing.

Also noted in the exclusive interview, Matt Barnes said he will head to Memphis in a few days for the first time as a member of the Grizzlies. He said he “will be looking for a house” in the area, too.

It will be a very interesting scene once training camp and preseason arrives to see just how well Barnes can play with his new team–our beloved Memphis Grizzlies.

Grizz Nation, you have got to like what you have heard and read so far. Matt Barnes is all in, even if it means clawing the Clippers or the Thunder to reach the NBA Finals.

What more could you ask?

Continue to check Beale Street Bears for the latest news, rumors, and other info of the offseason regarding your Memphis Grizzlies!

Go Grizz!

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