Clippers forward Matt Barnes was fined Thursday by the NBA for behavior following his ejection Wednesday night vs. Oklahoma City. From the NBA:
Los Angeles Clippers forward Matt Barnes has been fined $25,000 for failing to leave the court in a timely manner upon his ejection and using inappropriate language on his Twitter account during the game following his ejection, in violation of NBA rules, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.
Here's video of the incident.
Barnes later tweeted (then deleted the tweet) that he was done sticking up for teammates on account of him losing money when he does.
Barnes tweeted the following apology Thursday:
I'd like to take a second to apologize to the #LACorganization, my #Teammates & #CoachingStaff & the #ClipFans.. For my actions "cont"
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) November 14, 2013
Not only on the court, but off.. I was completely wrong for pushing Ibaka & then for what I tweeted following the altercation.. "Cont"
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) November 14, 2013
I've been doing this for to long to let my emotions get the best of me.. My poor choice of words & timing do not reflect "cont"
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) November 14, 2013
Who or what I am about.. It was very selfish on my part to make this situation about me instead of my teammates that fought their "cont"
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) November 14, 2013
Hearts out & earned a big win against a tough okc team.. Now I could have took the easy way out & said, "My twitter was hacked" "cont"
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) November 14, 2013
But that's not what I'm about, I except full responsibility for all my inappropriate action last night & I am truly sorry!
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) November 14, 2013
My bad *accept*
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) November 14, 2013
Barnes is being a little hard on himself, here. He got into a fight, got ejected, and then vented some frustration over a league that punishes you from a competitive and monetary standpoint. All this on top of the fact that Barnes has never gotten the big payday he's looked for. The NBA's about money, and these things hit the players where it hurts.
