Matt Barnes to steer clear of Derek Fisher: 'I don't talk to snakes'

Generally speaking, a January meeting between the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks doesn't elicit lurid subplots. However, Saturday's matchup will be the first time the Grizzlies' Matt Barnes and Knicks coach Derek Fisher are under the same NBA roof since a much-publicized off-court dust-up between the two in October.

Barnes won't be speaking with his former friend.

"I don't talk to snakes," the forward told the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy after Thursday's win over the Detroit Pistons.

From Bondy:

"I never wish for another man's downfall. I always knew the NBA would come down hard on me, so I wasn't surprised ... Cause I’m the bad guy."

Two of Barnes' teammates - Mario Chalmers and Courtney Lee - had a different theory that they shouted in the background of the interview.

"Because you won (the fight)."

"Probably," Barnes responded, "because I didn't snitch."

Barnes served an NBA-issued two-game suspension over New Year's for the incident in Los Angeles, apparently motivated by Fisher's involvement with Barnes' estranged wife, Gloria Govan.

"I know I got to keep my mouth shut because then he'll run and tell," Barnes said. "So we’re focused on playing that team (the Knicks). And when I'm retired, him and I will cross paths again."

Fisher has avoided commenting on the situation. The two played together for the Los Angeles Lakers from 2010-12. The NBPA has filed a grievance to recoup Barnes' salary lost to the suspension, but he is pessimistic he will get his money back.