Warriors forward/center Draymond Green and Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks continued to trade barbs after Memphis blew out Golden State on Thursday night, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
At the end of the second quarter Brooks stole the ball and converted a contested layup over Green, then turned back and the two bumped chests. He eventually started jawing at Green and they had to be separated by an official, but Green remained silent.
“I kind of wanted that play, just to see what he was going to say,” Brooks said. “But he took the media approach with that and didn’t say nothing, which is cool. I was expecting him to talk a little bit more, but I guess he needs to get all his facts together and talk.”
Green downplayed the incident, saying Brooks was trying to bait him into his 16th technical foul, which would have resulted in a one-game suspension. According to MacMahon, Green also scoffed at the notion that the Warriors and Grizzlies are rivals, despite eliminating each other in the past two postseasons.
“One team has to win, and then another team has to win,” Green said. “That’s what creates a rivalry. Not because one team gets up for you and talk like they can beat you and then not. That doesn’t create a rivalry. Rivalries are created by you win, I win. Clearly, we’ve won four times, and I think their organization has zero championships, so I can’t consider that a rivalry.”
On his podcast, Green questioned whether Brooks’ teammates liked him. Brooks’ sneering retort was certainly valid, given the practice incident involving Green and Jordan Poole this past fall.
“Just the fact that he was trying to pin my teammates against me, that was a low blow,” Brooks said, per MacMahon. “So that’s what type of player he is. These are my guys. We grew it all together. I ain’t out there getting in physical altercations with my teammates. I sit there and talk to them, try to not break them down, but build them up.”
Here’s more from the Pacific:
- The Warriors will continue to be shorthanded for Saturday’s home game against Milwaukee, tweets Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Second-year forward Jonathan Kuminga, who sprained his right ankle in warmups prior to Thursday’s game, has been ruled out, while Andrew Wiggins remains away from the team for personal reasons.
- Entering Friday’s victory over Toronto, the Lakers held the NBA’s top defensive rating since the trade deadline, according to Kyle Goon of The Southern California News Group. While Dennis Schröder, Troy Brown and Austin Reaves have been solid perimeter contributors on defense, Goon points out that the tandem of Jarred Vanderbilt and Anthony Davis has been particularly effective, with excellent defensive numbers when they’re paired together. “Him being able to communicate but also to be able to react, that’s what makes him so unique,” Vanderbilt said. “He can do both. He can talk and he can react, too. For me being on the perimeter, having a guy like A.D. behind me, I can be a lot more aggressive, knowing that I have a second line of defense.” The Lakers have gone 8-3 since they reshaped their roster.
- After a five-game losing streak, the Clippers have rebounded with back-to-back victories, and they believe they’re heading in the right direction, per Andrew Greif of The Los Angeles Times. “We’re figuring it out, I think we’re getting better game-by-game, definitely from these last two games,” Eric Gordon said Friday. “The sense of urgency is there. A lot of those losses came down to one possession and now we’re figuring it out a little bit more.” According to Greif, part of the team’s optimism stems from the health of Paul George, who says he can “do anything and everything I want to do” after dealing with a right knee injury last month.
On one hand I love the little WWE rivalry we’ve got going on in the west. On the other hand I can’t help but constantly be embarrassed for Draymond. You won 4 times? Then why do you feel so insecure that you need to even acknowledge the taunting? Lacob needs to talk to him before he permanently damages the Warriors brand…
Come on worse is hearing the Grizzlies act like they won something and are tough guys. That is what is laughable. The Ref should have T up Brooks but didn’t. He did T up Poole for bouncing a pass which has now been taken back since the league saw it as bias.
Green has earned the right the talk, especially if someone is calling him out. Brooks hasn’t earnt the right to be acting like he is. He’s arguably the least talented player in his teams starting 5, shouting to anyone who’ll listen as if he’s a “star”. Showing attitude in every game, it ain’t right.
Grow up and stop jawing, you ain’t tough you’re a ball player, do your job.
Brooks wasn’t this much of a jacka** on the court at Oregon. Brooks’ thuggish behavior in the NBA is a disgrace and certainly why some people turn off the NBA. However, there certainly seems to be an accepted role for that type of player on some teams.
He is trying to get under Draymond’s skin and it’s working. And the grizzlies won so…
glad to see you admit it was Brooks who should have been T up for playing those games.
Just Draymond? Feels like Brooks is trying to get under everyone’s skin. Yeah Griz won and fair play without Ja, but the kid needs to stop. After the drama he made with sharpe, I’ve been watching and he’s starting issues in every game I’ve seen. Just no need, play the game.
Looks like insecurities trying to act like a tough guy to make up for his lack of talent.
You all keep talking about how Brooks is the corny one. No matter how low he is, Draymond is still coming to his level. I don’t think you realize you are just arguing my point for me…
Never said Draymond wasn’t a drama queen.
I just don’t like how consistent Brooks has been in causing unnecessary drama in games and disrespecting people like he is something when he’s not.
The guy is one of the only guys to make Dame kick off….came out and said Steph wasn’t good enough to play him 1on1 and needs screen help, low blowing Mitchell. Just keep your head down and get better at ball to cause waves, your mouth does nothing but set you up for a spotlight that he can’t back up. It’s not like he was the reason Griz won, he’s a passenger role player making too much noise.
Actually defensively Memphis is much better without Ja. He is just like Poole but more consistent in scoring. Like Poole other teams focus on him to go at him offensively.
I’m a Warriors fan but they are hard to watch even when they’re winning. They play as if they are an adult basketball team going up against kids and it’s obvious they don’t need to focus or try hard because they’re going to easily win…and then they don’t (at least this year)
Its hard to watch because their defense is so bad and they shoot contested 3s early in the clock. Watching them sit around and watch the ball on a rebound is just terrible.
Agreed. Like I said it’s as if they are so over confident they’re going to win that they appear to not focus or care all game
Team lacks urgency to win and Kerr’s small lineup has been exposed. Teams has adjusted to the small lineup and now are getting out rebounded.
According to an article (other website)
Lakers are a compionship contender Despite Lebron’s Absence
They have a easy schedule and playing great defense. Shows LeBron doesn’t make them better because his defense is terrible now. Vanderbilt is a huge upgrade for him a young Draymond Green
LeBron’s energy focus on offense.
He just can’t do both.
Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.