It would seem that the NBA levies punishment on its athletes and allows its owners to act with impunity. At least, that is what Los Angeles Clippers forward Matt Barnes would have you believe, after explaining in lengthy detail the circumstances for his most recent $25,000 dollar fine.
At minimum, the picture he paints is certainly one of inequality showcasing the disparity between the level of professionalism expected of the league’s athletes and its owners, in this case Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver.
Another 25k! The part of the story the nba hasn’t told you was my language wasnt directed at a fan, I was talkn to the owner of the Suns….
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) January 27, 2015
..Who was sitting on the baseline & I only said something to him AFTER he cussed at me, BUT because I didn’t SNITCH I get fined!! #thecode
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) January 27, 2015
Barnes’ rant continues.
You can take my money, I care about winning!! — Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) January 27, 2015
I’ve been fined 50k in the last mnth for kicking a “PAPER”Gatorade cup that had alil bit of water in it that didn’t even hit anyone &…. — Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) January 27, 2015
Responding to an OWNER who cussed at me first.. 50,000 dollars for that?? Come on now!
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) January 27, 2015
After two $25,000 fines this season, it makes sense that he might be frustrated at the league — especially if you consider what the fines were for. Barnes takes the idea of paying the league fines to a comedic extreme, as if he were paying most, or all, of his salary.
I might need to find a second job with all these crazy tecs & fines. I Can see it now LA TIMES.. “Costco worker by day nba player by night” — Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) January 27, 2015
This is wat I’m on!!! Gonna be like eminem in 8 mile when he killed the shelter then had to go back… http://t.co/AfUCrPhUzs
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) January 27, 2015
This is wat I’m on!!! Gonna be like eminem in 8 mile when he killed the shelter then had to go back… http://t.co/AfUCrPhUzs
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) January 27, 2015
“This is wat I’m on!!! Gonna be like eminem in 8 mile when he killed the shelter then had to go back to work. We gonna win a championship & instead of celebrating im gonna HV to go to work!! lol photocred: my man flip”
It would certainly be an interesting experience to run into Matt Barnes at the checkout line in Costco. However, being a 6-7 athlete, he’d probably be stocking the inventory.
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Michael Brumagin writes the Tweet of the Day for SheridanHoops.com and is also a correspondent for BleacherReport.com. Follow @mbrumagin