Ever notice how some NBA commentators sound like they’re calling the game from a fan section? Whether it’s Jeff Van Gundy endlessly praising LeBron’s court vision or Reggie Miller’s obvious excitement when Steph Curry heats up, bias sneaks into the booth more than fans might admit. Remember when ESPN’s broadcast team — especially Mike Breen — was criticized by Warriors fans for sounding way too pro-Cleveland as LeBron mounted his historic comeback during the 2016 NBA Finals? Is it admiration or favoritism? And how does it shape the way we remember the game?

Fast forward to Game 4 of the 2025 playoffs — Warriors vs. Rockets — and the vibes felt oddly familiar. “Draymond Green has done everything shy of pulling out a gun and shooting our players,” said Teroya “Tea” Eason. A harsh line, no doubt — but one that echoed the frustration plenty of NBA fans, players, and families have felt watching Draymond over the years.

Because when it comes to on-court intensity, Green doesn’t exactly have an off switch. He’s yelled in the faces of referees, stalked them across the court, and put not one, but two players — Jusuf Nurkić and Rudy Gobert — in physical harm, with one infamous chokehold going viral before the whistle even blew. And yet, somehow, when things flare up again, the commentary doesn’t always call it out. Especially when Miller’s on the mic.

Miller’s unmistakable lean toward the Warriors didn’t go unnoticed; this time, it wasn’t just fans calling it out. Former NBA player and current analyst Eddie A. Johnson took to social media to fire back with a critique that carried weight. He said, “Reggie forgot he does a national telecast, and he should be partial. Up cheering on Draymond and the Warriors with pom-poms.” Johnson wasn’t just calling out Miller for leaning too heavily into his Warriors allegiance; he was challenging the very integrity of Reggie’s role as a commentator. The implication was clear: Miller’s job wasn’t to be a fan. With Miller making the move from TNT to NBC, his allegiance — or perceived bias — is now under even more scrutiny.

But Johnson’s reaction might also be shaped by more than just that one game. Over the years, he’s been vocal about how the Warriors’ dominance, especially their three-point-heavy style, has changed the way basketball is played and consumed. He’s expressed concern that this shift has pulled attention away from more traditional elements of the game. In that context, his comment on Miller’s bias could be seen not just as a critique of a broadcast, but as part of a broader conversation about how the league is evolving — and how that evolution is reflected in the commentary that accompanies it.

Whatever the reason behind Johnson’s critique — whether rooted in broadcast ethics or a deeper frustration with the Warriors’ influence — one thing’s clear: it struck a chord. But ultimately, you can be the judge. Let’s take a closer look at what exactly unfolded between Miller and Green during Game 4.

Reggie Miller’s mic under the microscope

The Warriors took a 3-1 series lead with a nail-biter of a win over the Rockets, 109-106, but the story wasn’t just the scoreboard. The real chaos unfolded in the second quarter which felt more like a WWE crossover. It started with Dillon Brooks fouling Steph Curry for the second time, prompting Steph to flash two fingers in his face. Brooks, never one to back down, smacked the ball out of Curry’s hands, setting off a face-off that brought in Green, Quentin Post, and nearly everyone short of the mascot.

The referees hit Curry, Brooks, and somehow Draymond with technicals. And that’s when TNT’s Miller jumped in, visibly confused and clearly not buying it. “Is that what they’re giving Draymond Green a technical foul for? Come on, man,” Miller said on-air. “I think he was being more of a peacemaker, actually… He’s moving him out of the way! I don’t understand that with Draymond Green.”

Barely minutes later, things escalated again. With 2:44 left in the quarter, Draymond and Eason collided and crashed to the floor — but Green didn’t stop there. He yanked at Eason’s jersey, locked his legs around him, and even grabbed his leg with his hands. It quickly turned into a pileup that forced refs and Rockets players to intervene. Draymond got slapped with a Flagrant 1, while Eason was given a tech. And since Green already had a technical and three personals, one more would’ve meant an early exit. But instead of a second tech, officials gave him a flagrant for swinging his legs near Eason’s head.

Miller, though, wasn’t ready to pile on. “There’s nothing here,” he said. “Green’s legs just happened to roll up on Eason’s head… I’m going to give him a leash on that one. I don’t think that was a kick in the head. I hope that was inadvertent. You’ve got to be careful if you’re Draymond.” 

And as if to tie the bow on it all, Green walked over and shook Reggie’s hand after the victory. The brief handshake, after a game filled with tension and accusations of biased commentary, was a silent acknowledgment between the two. Draymond, ever the fiery competitor, and Miller, a commentator often accused of leaning too far into his Warriors support, shared a moment that seemed to encapsulate the complex relationship between player and broadcaster. It was a quiet, yet loaded, gesture — one that spoke volumes about the dynamics off the court.