Barea Has No Hard Feelings Toward Bynum For Hit
DALLAS (AP) -- Dallas guard J.J. Barea says he doesn't hold any animosity toward Lakers center Andrew Bynum after their ugly collision.
Bynum elbowed Barea in the chest while the guard was in the air for a layup in Game 4 of their playoff series.
He hit the floor hard, Bynum was ejected and on Tuesday was suspended for the first five games of next season.
Barea says he has a bruise on his ribs and another on his left hand. He said Wednesday that he received an apologetic message from Bynum that he considers sincere. He didn't return the call because he didn't think it was necessary.
Barea said: "He just had a big mistake. People have those sometimes. He lost his mind and he fouled me pretty hard. I know he regrets it."
The Mavericks swept the two-time defending champion Lakers.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
