Metta World Peace doesn't believe Derek Fisher's string of losses is the only reason the former New York Knicks coach was fired earlier this month.
The NBA player, who rejoined the Lakers roster last year, suggested that Fisher's high-profile altercation with Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes likely factored into the decision to let Fisher go. According to The New York Post, a "brawl" broke out between the former Lakers teammates after Barnes found out his estranged wife had started dating Fisher. Barnes received a two-game suspension for his involvement.
"I think that [confrontation with Barnes] had something to do with it because they were losing, and then the focus continued to be on Matt and Derek and his ex-wife," World Peace said. "So I think that had something to do with it, and then I think maybe the players felt a little bit uncomfortable with the situation."
Shortly after news of the firing broke, Knicks president Phil Jackson, on the other hand, said the organization wasn't happy about the "embarrassing" incident with Barnes, but didn't choose to fire him because of it.
World Peace told HuffPost Live's Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani that he hopes both Fisher and Barnes will rise above the fight.
"I don't know what happened in the house," he said. "I've heard rumors, but I hope those guys are able to talk about it and just move on because it wasn't a horrible situation. It was a little touchy situation."
Watch the full HuffPost Live conversation with Metta World Peace here.
Want more HuffPost Live? Stream us anytime on Go90, Verizon's mobile social entertainment network, and listen to our best interviews on iTunes.
Also on HuffPost:
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.