Matt Barnes, a former Los Angeles Lakers forward, found himself at the center of a storm of controversy after a memorable on-court incident involving Kobe Bryant. In a recent appearance on Paul George’s podcast, Barnes opened up about the alarming backlash he faced following the incident.
“It was crazy because I was getting super death threats after that. I was kind of the bad guy, the villain, whatever. But, I became the real villain after that sh**. People said on Twitter they’re gonna kill me.”
“They’re gonna find my address, kill my kids, kill my girl. ‘Come to L.A. You better never come back to L.A. We gonna kill you.’ You can’t f**k with Kobe. Them eses in L.A. don’t play about the Lakers and Dodgers and particularly Kobe. Bro, I got so many death threats. I kid you not.” (1:11:02)
He revealed that he received numerous death threats on social media, with fans even threatening his family, including his children and girlfriend. The threats were so severe that Barnes feared for his safety, especially considering the passionate loyalty of Lakers fans, particularly toward Bryant.
Barnes explained that the competitive tension between the Orlando Magic, his team at the time, and the Lakers, fueled the intensity of the situation. The animosity stemming from their previous Finals matchup added to the volatile atmosphere surrounding the game.
During a game, Barnes attempted to intimidate Bryant with a fake pass that, from one camera angle, appeared to be aimed at Bryant’s face. The incident stirred up intense reactions from fans, with Barnes receiving a barrage of death threats in the aftermath.
Despite Barnes‘ attempt to rattle Bryant with the fake pass, the legendary Lakers star remained composed, showcasing his trademark focus and resilience. Bryant’s calm demeanor in the face of adversity only served to highlight his unwavering mental strength and determination on the court.
While there has been debate about the intention behind Barnes’ actions, he has consistently maintained that his aim was to intimidate Bryant. Regardless of the specific details of the incident, what remains clear is that Bryant’s performance that night was unaffected, as he went on to score an impressive 34 points.
In a surprising turn of events, Barnes later became Bryant’s teammate when he joined the Lakers in the 2010 offseason. His decision to join the Purple and Gold was met with forgiveness and acceptance from Lakers fans, highlighting the transformative power of sportsmanship and camaraderie. Despite the initial controversy, Barnes’ tenure with the Lakers allowed him to forge a new chapter in his relationship with the team and its devoted fanbase.
Matt Barnes Recalls Story About Crazy 2007 Warriors Afterparty
Matt Barnes recently shared a captivating story about a wild afterparty following the Golden State Warriors‘ memorable victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the 2007 NBA playoffs. Barnes, along with his teammates, celebrated their triumph in style, joined by none other than hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg.
Vibes were high for the “We Believe” Warriors after beating Dallas… and then Snoop made them higher 😶🌫️ pic.twitter.com/0byKuk8FWW
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) April 6, 2024
During an appearance on Paul George’s podcast, Barnes reminisced about the exhilarating experience of partying with Snoop Dogg and other celebrities following the Warriors’ historic win. He recounted how they smoked joints with actor Woody Harrelson and later received an invitation from Snoop Dogg to join him at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco.
Once at the hotel, Barnes, along with teammates Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson, found themselves indulging in Snoop Dogg’s hospitality as they watched the animated version of his album “Tha Blue Carpet Experience” while passing around multiple blunts. The atmosphere was vibrant and relaxed, with marijuana smoke filling the room as the trio soaked in the celebration.
However, the euphoria of the moment was briefly interrupted when room service unexpectedly entered their space. Fearing repercussions, Barnes and his teammates braced themselves for potential consequences. Yet, much to their relief, the hotel staff congratulated them on their victory and even helped dissipate the smoke by unscrewing a window, allowing them to continue their festivities without interruption.
Barnes’ recollection of the night offers a glimpse into the camaraderie and jubilation shared among the Warriors players and their celebrity guests. Despite the eventual disappointment of a second-round playoff exit, the memories of that celebratory evening remain a cherished part of the Warriors’ storied history.
The 2006-07 Warriors’ improbable playoff run, marked by their stunning upset of the top-seeded Mavericks and the passionate support of their fans, continues to be remembered fondly by basketball enthusiasts. Their journey from playoff outsiders to contenders captured the hearts of fans and exemplified the spirit of resilience and determination in sports.
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