Screenshot: Stopmotionsports
There are three certainties in life: death, takes, and Matt Barnes getting into trouble with referees… and announcers.
Some things will never change. A video of former NBA bad boy, Matt Barnes with his hand on the shoulders of a student play-by-play voice emerged on social media.
This is blatant disinformation. Jake Lancer is one of the most professional people I’ve ever worked with in broadcast or journalism. He did not say “shut up.” Here are videos of what he said immediately before and after the altercation. @Tarek_Fattal @latsondheimer https://t.co/QXwlfP0cOU pic.twitter.com/OUSedsNEEX
— Julian Andreone (@JulianAndreone) February 3, 2024
After his son received a technical foul, Barnes interrupted the game by getting the attention of student announcer Jake Lancer with a touch on the student’s shoulder, while reportedly threatening him.
“This guy was on the court mid-game multiple times screaming ridiculous stuff at the refs and everyone, including myself was looking at him. We made eye contact and that was enough for him to come up to me and grip my shoulder with his hand,” Lancer said.
“He said, ‘What do you think you’re looking at?’ And I said, ‘You’re screaming, “You’re a (term for a female private part)” to the refs mid game while I’m trying to announce, don’t touch me.’ And then he said ‘I’ll slap the s*** out of you,’”
HW student broadcaster Jake Lancer
This guy was on the court mid-game multiple times screaming ridiculous stuff at the refs and everyone, including myself was looking at him, we made eye contact and that was enough for him to come up to me and grip my shoulder with his hand.
— Jack Pollon (@pollonpreps) February 3, 2024
This caught the interest of Bill Simmons, who wondered why this incident didn’t become a more significant story.
Kinda thought this would become a bigger story. https://t.co/jr52xa30FV pic.twitter.com/bpN6vusR8w
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 3, 2024
