Think you had a bad year? Matt Barnes knows how you feel.
In an Instagram postentitled "Success Is What Happens When You Survive All Of Your Mistakes,"theMemphis Grizzliesforward wrote: "Thank God For 2016! 2015 hands down was theworst year of my life!"
He goes on to list the things that went wrong, starting with "lost the women I loved, the mother of my kids." He said he had to walk away from the only thing he's ever wanted, "MY OWN FAMILY!"
Grizzlies spokesman Jason Wallace declined comment on Barnes' post. Goodwin Sports Management, which represents Barnes, didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment, according to The Associated Press.
Barnes was involved in a well-publicized incident with his estranged wife, Gloria Govan, that he said involved Knicks coach Derek Fisher. Barnes was suspended two games earlier this week for his role in a confrontation with Fisher earlier this year.
Fisher and Barnes were involved in a physical altercation in Los Angeles on Oct. 3 during a party at Govan's home. On that night, Barnes told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that he went to the home to check on his 6-year-old twin sons after receiving text messages and using FaceTime with his sons and sensing they were uncomfortable. Barnes said one of the twins told him that "Mommy's friend Derek is here."
Barnes lives about 15 minutes from his family in Redondo Beach, California. He drove to the home, where the situation between Barnes, Fisher and Govan escalated and a physical altercation reportedly took place. Police were called, though no charges were filed.
In his post, Barnes writes that he was "stuck in the 'triangle offense' w my ex & snitch, I mean former teammate & friend. Who went behind my back, messed w my ex, got caught, got dealt w for being a snake, then ran & told the Police & NBA.Instead of taken that a-- whoopin like a man & kept it moving....! WHERE THEY DO THAT AT? Guess cause I didn't SNITCH, I get a 2 game suspension by the league 'They call that LIFE.'"
He also laments getting "traded away from a team & city I love!" That would presumably be Los Angeles, where Barnes played for the Lakers and Clippers from 2010 to 2015.
"They call that the business," he writes.
Barnes adds that his life last year "played out like a bad reality show, a nightmare, for your amusement & entertainment! For you to critique, make fun of, crack jokes & laugh about."
He says he's not looking for sympathy, however, that he "had a hand" in all the bad things that happened. Rather, he writes that he is sharing "to let you know I'm right there w you, We In this together! Everyone has ups & downs in this game called LIFE... It gets better.... 'I think' Hahaa nah it does, trust me!"
Among other pieces of advice, Barnes offers: "It's not about how many times you fall down, it's about how many times you get up!"
And he concludes with "HAPPY NEW YEAR, LOVE #THEBADGUY"