Matt Barnes says he’d fight Serge Ibaka,

It’s no secret that there is bad blood between the Memphis Grizzlies’ Matt Barnes and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka. Both have been accused of engaging in dirty tactics and instigating unnecessary conflict on the basketball court.

Barnes went on ESPN’s SportsNation Tuesday and talked about why he wants to fight Ibaka. You could say that this is just a player defending a teammate but it looked like Griffin clamped down on Ibaka’s arm to tie him down.

When Max Kellerman pressed, “What is it about him that rubs you the wrong way?” He’s always – he’s got that aura about him that he’s the toughest guy on the planet. “He’s not. Whether it’s on the court or off the court”. Ibaka and Barnes, then with the Clippers, got into a on court shoving match.

“Who would you take in a fight: “Barnes (6’7″, 226 pounds) or Ibaka (6’10”, 245 pounds)? Among those, Barnes says he fears none, but there are a few he’s preferred to avoid over the years. “Like if I had to fight him, it might not end”. Late in the second quarter, forward Serge Ibaka was doing what he does best – keeping guys from scoring – when he became entangled with the Clippers’ Blake Griffin. Because we might just keep fighting.”Serge Ibaka is not on that list”. Barnes was not impressed. “To me it doesn’t matter.” – he’d probably be up for it, as well. “They’d be coming up, saying, ‘I hate that f–ing guy.'”.

It didn’t take Ibaka long to respond, either.

Ibaka wasted no time in firing back.

Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports.