The decade-plus rivalry between Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers seems to remain a strictly on-court battle. The former has come to the defense of the latter more times than not when it comes to his legacy and all-time standing in the game.
Most recently, Green doubled down on his take that James is the best NBA player of all-time, specifically taking a shot at one of his former, championship-winning teammates.
“If you look at some of the guys he had to lead,” Green said on a Twitch stream. “MJ had Pippen, Bron was winning games with Matthew Delladova…that guy stinks, no disrespect.”
Stephen Curry and Green’s Warriors have faced off against James four times in the finals, with Golden State beating the Cavaliers on three of four occasions from 2015 to 2018. Both Green and James have matched up a total of 53 times, with Green holding seven more wins over the player he claims as his GOAT.
LeBron James Is Draymond Green’s GOAT
As is commonplace in the NBA world, the ‘greatest of all-time‘ discussion remains prevalent, regardless of when, who, or why the conversation is taking place. Now multiple times, Green has planted his flag in James’ camp, most recently claiming the teammates he led to the Finals weren’t up to the level of those Michael Jordan played with.
In turn, Green also took a shot at his current Golden State head coach, Steve Kerr. The now coach and former player won three titles with the Chicago Bulls in the late 1990s, including hitting a game-clinching shot in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals.
“MJ wasn’t winning with Matthew Dellavedova, unless they thought that about Steve Kerr,” Green added on the stream. “Steve Kerr is probably one of Jordan’s worst teammates that contributed to a (championship).”
Despite Green’s claim, there is a counterargument that includes mentioning Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Anthony Davis, and now Luka Doncic as all All-Star teammates James has played with in his storied career.
The same can be said for Jordan, who had Pippen alongside for all six of his Finals-winning runs, along with a stint featuring Horace Grant and Dennis Rodman as the Chicago Bulls’ rotating third banana.
Regardless, the teammates’ argument tends to skew against James when it comes to the GOAT debate. But Green doesn’t feel that way, and even with their continuous on-court battles, the Warriors star tends to take the side of defending his long-time rival.
The Warriors’ Offseason
While Green was quick to James’ defense when it comes to his ex-teammates, the four-time Warriors champ’s current teammates, or lack thereof, have been a big talking point over the offseason.
After Cam Thomas and Josh Giddey resigned with their teams, Jonathan Kuminga is now one of the last top remaining restricted free agents in the NBA. The 21-year-old has been in a standstill with Golden State over the past few months, reportedly wanting a contract worth around $20-$30 million annually.
The Warriors are hoping he takes the qualifying offer for around $8 million, but less than a month before training camp, the two sides have yet to reach a deal. Golden State expects to sign Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II once they solve the Kuminga situation. As of now, the Warriors are the only team in the NBA yet to add or resign a player this summer.
Green has come to the defense of Golden State’s front office previously this offseason, but the recent roster stagnation comes in a crucial offseason for the futures of Green, Curry, and newly acquired Jimmy Butler.
There’s a bit of irony from Green’s comments on James’ former teammates considering the predicament his team is in right now, but the Warriors forward has never shied away from speaking his mind.
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