The Lakers lost to the Utah Jazz for the first time this season on Saturday night, and after the game not all the players and coaches were thrilled with the outcome.
During the game L.A. head coach Mike Brown was ejected after a fiery reaction to a non-call from the officials on Pau Gasol. Later, Matt Barnes was taken out by fill-in coach John Kuester, and he was also visibly upset.
Following the game Barnes reportedly had a positive interaction with Kuester, but was still upset with the officiating in the game.
“He [Brown] needed to do that. It’s kind of blatant out there what’s going on. I was glad he stepped up and did what he did. It only cost us one point at the time; I didn’t see nothing wrong with it. I thought it was well-warranted.”*
Barnes is referring to Brown’s ejection, which the team tried to use as a rallying cry. Unfortunately the move backfired on the Lakers, as Utah turned a two point game into a 10 point game in a matter of minutes.
This came just one night after Barnes earned a technical foul for swinging his elbows at Rudy Fernandez.
*Source: Orange County Register