Derek Fisher wasn’t just fired because the Knicks were in a slump, according to Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Fisher reportedly lost respect from several of his players because of his involvement with Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes’ ex-wife Gloria Govan, and the subsequent fight they had in the offseason.

Fisher’s departure hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning. According to the website Sneaker Mob, there have been rumors in the past about Fisher and ex-Knick Tim Hardaway Jr. in which Fisher allegedly slept with Hardaway Jr.’s girlfriend. The website also speculated he may have had relations with Cleanthony Earley’s girlfriend as well; Early is still a Knick, but is out indefinitely after being shot earlier this season.

Gloria Govan Deletes Pictures Of Her And Fisher

Wojnarowski wrote of Fisher, “[T]he fastest path to losing a locker room comes this way: Behave like a player.” It is important to remember that the Hardaway and Early accusations have not been proven, as high-profile NBA gambler Haralabos Voulgaris pointed out on Twitter.

The insinuations, however, give greater context to the bizarre timing of Fisher’s firing, and could greatly impair him from finding another head coaching job. And what does Barnes think of all this?

Matt Barnes Situation May Kill Fisher's Coaching Future

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