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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Sports celebrities had very few opportunities in the past to express themselves. However, things have changed now. Draymond Green recently called out an NBA analyst for his comment on his teammate for one aspect. A former NBA player also praised Green for his latest action.

The former DPOY was recently indefinitely suspended for striking Phoenix Suns player Jusuf Nurkic during a game. While talking about the suspension, ESPN veteran Stephen A. Smith dragged Stephen Curry into the argument as well.  This didn’t sit well with Draymond or former Warriors champ, Matt Barnes.

Matt Barnes shines spotlight on Draymond Green’s response to Stephen A. Smith

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In his comment, Smith not only criticized Steph Curry’s leadership skills but also brought LeBron James into the conversation. However, soon after, Green hit back with his opinion on Smith’s comment. Rather than anger, it was Green’s camaraderie for his teammate that inspired his surprising response. 

As Smith insinuated, Steph, as a leader, should be reeling in his teammates and ensuring that everybody is focusing on the bigger picture. By that logic, Smith uggests that Curry’s lack of leadership shows through Green’s recent actions. Green didn’t take the bait but instead shared his candid feelings on the Chef and how he would never wish to hurt Curry’s Hall of Fame legacy.

Impressed by this gesture, former NBA player Barnes gave the newly-reformed Draymond his flowers. He spoke about Stephen A Smith. He (Smith) was kind of critiquing Steph’s leadership and Draymond took a huge offense to that. He insinuated that Steph didn’t have the locker room. Draymond would have did this sh*t with MJ; Draymond would have did this sh*t with Kobe; Draymond is gonna be Draymond.” Barnes explained that no player in NBA history could stop the 2017 DPOY from being himself.  Barnes added, “I like that Draymond calls out Stephen A.”

 

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A post shared by Matt Barnes (@matt_barnes9)

Following a 12-game suspension, Green has been reinstated, but he hasn’t participated in any games since and was absent from the recent Warriors match against the Toronto Raptors. As per sources, he will soon return to the Warriors.

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The 4x champion spoke about the entire situation on his podcast. Green also expressed his discontent with Smith’s comment on Curry’s leadership in the same episode.

Green’s response to the Stephen Curry comments

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Not only did Draymond apologize for his actions but also stated how it breaks his heart to watch Curry getting blamed for something he didn’t do.

Along with the Chef, the 4x NBA All-Star has led the Golden State Warriors to 4 NBA titles. Naturally, the comment didn’t sit well with Green. He called out the ESPN analyst and said, “Stephen A. was like, ‘Steph [Curry] is a bad leader because Draymond did X.’ And it pissed me off, but it crushed me.”

The 4x champion added, “This guy doesn’t give us anything to tear him down about. This guy does everything the right way, and yet he’s being torn down because of my actions? It crushed me.”

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Green’s gesture to support Curry is what impressed Barnes. Did it leave an impression on you? Let us know in the comments section below.