Derek Fisher speaks for the first time about fight with Matt Barnes

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Derek Fisher’s First Public Comments About His Fight With Matt Barnes

After months of letting the speculation bubble, Derek Fisher is finally speaking via TheCauldron about the infamous fight he had with former teammate Matt Barnes over Gloria Govan…

So let’s set the record straight on my personal life — specifically, my relationship with Gloria Govan and how it relates to Matt Barnes.

First, I was stunned and disappointed by the way Gloria was treated in the media. After the much publicized (and unfortunate) situation went down in Los Angeles last year, story after story was published that portrayed her as a piece of property, instead of the strong, independent woman and mother she is; someone who is capable of making her own decisions. This is a human being we are talking about, not some pawn in a game.

As far as Matt goes, to say that we had history before the incident would be an exaggeration. We played together for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2010–11 season, and a couple months in the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season. That’s it. That’s the history.

During that time, we were teammates, and never had any issues. We never had any real relationship off the court, either. Our kids didn’t hang out, our families didn’t interact. There were no birthday parties. There were no post-game dinners. We weren’t friends and we had no mutual friends.

Turn the page to see Derek’s interpretation of Gloria’s and Matt’s relationship status while he was knockin’ her boots.

Image via AP/WENN

When Gloria and I started dating, she and Matt had already been separated and living apart for more than a year. Same thing for me. My wife and I were long separated; she was in L.A., I was in New York. Matt and Gloria were not trying to work things out, and I certainly wasn’t seeing her behind Matt’s back or in secret. The relationship wasn’t something I was trying to publicize, but it also wasn’t something I was trying to hide, either. There was no reason to.

I don’t know what was going through Matt’s mind that day in October when he showed up unannounced at Gloria’s house, and started swinging. I didn’t retaliate. No one who was there did anything but try to get him to calm down, particularly because Matt and Gloria’s children were present. There was no fight.

That’s it. There’s nothing more to what happened than that.

On the last page, Derek dry snitches on Matt Barnes. Implying that HE was the one probably leaked the story.

Image via WENN

At the time, I had no intention of saying anything about what happened, and I definitely didn’t wish for the incident to become public knowledge. As far as I was concerned, it was something I was willing to let pass, and as an NBA head coach, I was more than aware that actions off the court might reflect upon many others beyond just me.

Then suddenly, the story of a “fight” leaked to the media. I’ll let you speculate on who leaked it and why, and the nature of their character. My reputation speaks for itself.

I know I’m not perfect. I’m human and flawed. I’ve failed. I have shortcomings. Everybody does. That being said, I’ve been in the NBA and the public eye for 20 years. Plenty of people know me well, and they know my true character. I would not have been allowed to lead the teams I led without the character and integrity I possess.

Clearly Derek doesn’t get it. Ain’t no integrity and character, bih! Integrity and character GONE, bih!

Read his statement in full HERE.

Image via Instagram