Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Matt Barnes Sheds Light On Infamous Ball Fake In Kobe Bryant’s Face: “I Wanted To Slam That Sh*t In His Face”
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Matt Barnes Sheds Light On Infamous Ball Fake In Kobe Bryant’s Face: “I Wanted To Slam That Sh*t In His Face”

Matt Barnes Sheds Light On Infamous Ball Fake In Kobe Bryant’s Face: “I Wanted To Slam That Sh*t In His Face”

Aaditya Krishnamurthy
Oct 5, 2021
3 Min Read
Share

USA Today

Kobe Bryant was as fearless as they come. Nobody could do anything on the court that would frighten or intimate Kobe. Bryant had nerves of steel when he was on the court and was ready to do anything to get his team the win. Which meant bothering his opponents into making a dumb decision.

Kobe was a pest. And Matt Barnes got really annoyed playing against him. During a game between the Lakers and the Orlando Magic, a rematch of that year’s NBA Finals, Barnes faked throwing the ball in Kobe’s face from an out. But infamously, Kobe didn’t even flinch at the fake-out, a moment that is still remembered by most NBA fans.

According to Matt Barnes though, he didn’t intend to fake the ball in Kobe’s face. In a recent interview (0:30 mark), Barnes revealed what happened in that game. Kobe was playing violently with Barnes and getting away with it. In reality, Barnes wanted to throw the ball in his face, but his arms instinctively faked it. 

“In the Orlando situation, I mean anyone that plays Kobe knows he’s dirty. Grabs you, elbows you, says sh*t, does whatever. But they’ll never call a foul on him. Known for elbowing you in the sternum, known for just doing all kinds of crazy sh*t, but that was part of that mental warfare that he liked to put on you. This motherf***er elbowed me in my sternum, hit me in the nuts, elbowed me in the chin. Like I’mma fight this dude because these punk-a** refs aren’t calling nothing. So when the ball fake sh*t happened, it wasn’t like I’m gonna fake the ball in his face. Literally, my arms just did it by themselves. I wanted to slam that shi*t in his face. So I faked it, and then it kind of became what it did.”

Part of the attitude that brought him so much success and admiration in the NBA was his confidence. Kobe couldn’t be messed with, or gotten to even if players did their absolute best to. He was just that locked in when it came to the game.

On top of that, Bryant would use any and every trick in the book to give him the advantage. This would mean playing physically and bullying his opponents to give himself a physical and mental edge. And as we look back at his career, we can see how much success it brought him.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Kobe Bryant
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByAaditya Krishnamurthy
Follow:
Aaditya Krishnamurthy is a writer for Fadeaway World covering the latest news and exciting stories from the fascinating world of the NBA. After briefly working as a freelance writer in the sports and business sector, Aaditya began writing for Fadeaway World in 2021 about the day-to-day functioning of the NBA.After graduating from Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts in 2020, he worked as a freelance writer for years before beginning his MA in Communications at Penn State University. Currently, he is in the United States, and traveling to his home country of India. Aside from the NBA, Aaditya is a big sports fan, with soccer, football, Formula 1, and MMA being some of his favorites to watch.
Previous Article Danny Green Could Receive His 2019 NBA Championship Ring From Toronto 929 Days After Winning The Championship
Next Article Matt Barnes Explains How Kobe Bryant Convinced Him To Join The Los Angeles Lakers And Reject The Miami Heat: “Anyone Crazy Enough To F*ck With Me Is Crazy Enough To Play With Me.”
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick speaks to media before a Game 2 of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

JJ Redick Explains Why Lakers Got Blown Out By Suns In Preseason Opener

October 4, 2025
Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts against the Golden State Warriors at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Phoenix Suns News & Analysis

Devin Booker Trolls Deandre Ayton During Lakers-Suns Game

October 4, 2025
Lonzo Ball
Cleveland Cavaliers News & Analysis

Lonzo Ball On Track For Major Redemption Season, Turning Heads At Training Camp

October 4, 2025
Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27), center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Christian Braun (0) in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 6 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Denver Nuggets News & Analysis

Denver Nuggets Guard Declares They Have The Best Starting Five In The NBA

October 4, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?