Getty Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after scoring against the Memphis Grizzlies during the third quarter at Chase Center on December 23, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Just because Draymond Green isn’t on the floor for the Golden State Warriors doesn’t mean his presence won’t continue to be felt across the NBA.
As great of a basketball player as Green is, he’s arguably an equally talented talker. It was the latter of those two skills he wielded on the March 2 edition of the The Draymond Green Show. Green took to the microphone and ripped Los Angeles Lakers fans for booing their own team during a blowout loss in L.A. to the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday night. Fans in Crypto.com Arena were specifically perturbed by a LeBron James‘ turnover in the middle of the third quarter.
“I thought that was extremely pathetic,” Green said. “I thought it was extremely distasteful from the fanbase of an organization that has the most championships in the NBA. Let’s not be so like spoiled brats.”
“That was about as bratty as something I’ve seen considering that this team just won a championship not even a full two years ago. And now you’re booing?” Green continued. “I thought that was utterly ridiculous.”
The latest Warriors news straight to your inbox! Join the Heavy on Warriors newsletter here!
Green Possibly Nearing Return After Long Absence From Warriors Lineup
GettyGolden State Warriors big man Draymond Green warms up before a game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
While Green had plenty of words for the Lakers faithful, he had nary a thing to share as far as his health status is concerned or the timetable for his potential return to the court.
Green went down with a back issue on January 9 and has missed 25 consecutive games since. The Warriors have a win/loss record of 14-11 over that stretch, including losses in seven of their last nine outings.
But the news isn’t all bad. Anthony Slater of The Athletic posted video Wednesday of Green practicing while traveling with the Dubs on their current four-game road trip. Also part of that practice session was another key Warriors player whose 2021-22 season has been marred by injury problems.
Draymond Green getting in some post practice work in Dallas after a 3-on-3 scrimmage that included James Wiseman
“Draymond Green getting in some post practice work in Dallas after a 3-on-3 scrimmage that included James Wiseman,” Slater tweeted.
ESPN’s Marc Spears Says Warriors in Trouble in Western Conference
GettyStephen Curry, of the Golden State Warriors, reacts to a three-point basket during the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on February 24, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
Due to the extended absences of not only Green and Wiseman, but also shooting guard Klay Thompson during the early portion of the season and wing defender Andre Iguodala across most of the year, much of the burden to keep Golden State on track has fallen to Steph Curry.
NBA analyst Marc Spears said on the Tuesday edition of ESPN’s Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast that it is time for the Warriors to be concerned, as their status near the top of the Western Conference continues to be further compromised by inconsistency and losing.
“I’m watching the Warriors and starting to get a little nervous for them,” Spears said. “The Warriors had a horrible February, they split February. They’re not playing good basketball right now.”
With a record of 43-20 for the season, Golden State is clinging to a half-game lead over the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 2 seed in the West. Based on his comments, the idea that the surging Grizzlies will ultimately overtake the Warriors in the standing is a forgone conclusion for Spears.
His primary concern is actually whether the Utah Jazz might be capable of closing the gap and dragging the Dubs all the way down to the No. 4 position by the time the postseason begins. The Jazz trail the Warriors by just three games in the current NBA standings after Golden State’s loss Thursday night to the Dallas Mavericks.
“I wonder if the Jazz — if the Warriors keep playing like this — can get within reach,” Spears continued. “There is time, and the Warriors are probably playing the worst basketball amongst the top eight teams in the Western Conference right now.”