Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has offered an apology to Charles Barkley for a comment he made during a recent appearance on Inside the NBA.
Green received some major backlash for taking a shot at Barkley’s twilight tenure with the Houston Rockets, saying “I think the goal is just to not look like you in the Houston Rockets uniform,” while discussing his own career twilight.
Draymond Green Offers Apology to Charles Barkley
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 05: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors speaks to the media after defeating the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 05, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
During the latest episode of his podcast, Green provided some clarity on his comment and apologized for any perceived disrespect, which he said wasn’t his intention.
“I wan to provide a little bit of clarity. … The reason that I would even say that is what Chuck makes fun about in his career is actually the last 2 years in Houston. ‘I was going to get that free money.’ That’s what he says,” Green said.
“Everybody tried to make it like this whole ‘Ah man Draymond think he better than Chuck.’ The disrespect ain’t the intent. So if that’s the way it’s viewed as public disrespect, I can gladly publicly apologize. Disrespect wasn’t my intent.”
In fairness to Green, his comment did seem a bit more like a lighthearted jab than a disrespectful shot, though it’s pretty easy to understand why it could be interpreted that way. So, it’s good that he issued an apology and provided some clarity on the comment.
Charles Barkley’s Response to Draymond Green
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 21: Charles Barkley looks on prior to game three of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on May 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
While Barkley didn’t respond to Green’s comment live on air, he did respond a couple days later during an appearance on 98.7 FM Arizona Sports.
“Hey man, I never punch down. Draymond is a good player. We’re not on the same level,” Barkley said. “So, I can hear, but I don’t have to respond every time somebody says something about me. Listen, Draymond is a really good player. He’s had a hell of a career, but we’re not on the same level.”
Barkley catches a lot of heat for never having won an NBA title, and sometimes that overshadows just how great of a player he was, but his resume speaks for itself. He made 11 All-Star and All-NBA teams over the course of his career.
He led the league in rebounding in 1987 and was named NBA MVP in 1993. His No. 34 was retired by both the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns.
Warriors’ Draymond Green Apologizes to Charles Barkley for Disrespectful Comment