Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green and NBA great and Inside the NBA commentator Charles Barkley don’t exactly love each other. In the second round of the playoffs, after Green and New Orleans Pelicans guard Rajon Rondo came this close to really mixing it up, Barkley said he wished someone would punch Green in the face.
Green responded by challenging Barkley to actually punch him or otherwise “shut up.” Barkley apologized, but didn’t really back down from his original comment.
Both are great at what they do, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr could see Green evolving to become a legendary NBA analyst/host like Barkley one day. In an excellent new feature from Lee Jenkins—Lee = G.O.A.T.—Sports Illustrated examines Green’s psyche.
It’s a tremendous piece on Green’s evolution, and you should read the whole thing. Among the most interesting nuggets within the story, Kerr explained how Green could one day go on to success in another realm.
"I think he could be a coach," Kerr said, "but I don't think he will. I think he's going to be the next Charles Barkley."
What do you think—Coach Draymond or Analyst Draymond? Either would be fun.
Kerr worked for TNT as a color commentator from 2003-07 and 2010-14.
The piece also explores how the Warriors struggled to stay engaged and excited during the regular season.
During a midwinter trip to Los Angeles, one staffer hummed Green Day's "Wake Me Up When September Ends," and a player stretching on the court at Staples Center nodded in approval. "When April ends," he cracked. Nobody in the NBA will empathize, but the Dubs are stacked to such a cartoonish extent that their stiffest challenge was actually the absence of challenge. "It was boredom," says an assistant coach.
The Warriors will look to build on their 1-0 Western Conference Finals lead in Houston Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST. Catch Green’s performance—and Barkley’s analysis—on TNT.
