I don't know if I'm watching the correct video, but from what I'm seeing I have ZERO problem with what Barnes did. Ibaka began it with pushing Griffin on the back, Barnes hit back to protect him.
We used to be prideful of having players like that around here, doing this exact sort of thing.
Not that I don't think Barnes is a punk, but in this case, I don't get the whole hoopla going after Barnes' head.
No, Griffin began it by clenching Ibaka's arm and not letting it go. Watch it again, it's a commonly used under-handed tactic in the NBA these days. Used purely to frustrate opponents while looking very innocent in the process.
Meh, Ibaka could've easily pulled his hand instead of trying to shove Griffin away like he did.
In any case, whether Ibaka or Griffin started it, from Barnes POV he saw his star teammate getting shoved from the back... so the point stands on the same merit, and honestly if that was KG protecting Pierce or Posey protecting Rondo or such, we'd be applauding how good teammates they are, and how they add toughness to our team.
So in this instance, sorry but I'm not biting on the Barnes hate... though he's done a number of punk moves in the past, but this really wasn't one of it.