Draymond Green wants just about everyone to know that he hates Rudy Gobert.
His lack of respect for the Minnesota Timberwolves isn’t exactly shrouded in secrecy, but perhaps it should be. That’s not to say Gobert is immune from criticism or undeserving, but the embattled Golden State Warriors star has seemingly pushed an agenda forward.
In the aftermath of the Dallas Mavericks taking Game 2 in a 109-108 win over the Timberwolves, the Minnesota-faithful serenaded Green. Luka Dončić joined the Inside the NBA crew to discuss his game-winning shot over Gobert to take a 2-0 series lead.
And chants of “Draymond sucks” rang through the broadcast, which led to Green immediately turning to the crowd to let them know that no, it was Rudy who sucked. His lack of impulse control shined through, as he could not make the chant a referendum on Gobert.
“We wanted that.” 🔥
Luka on his game-winner over Rudy Gobert pic.twitter.com/wS76BHNvew
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 25, 2024
And Eddie Johnson, who has had no issues taking aim at other NBA players turned broadcasters — mainly JJ Redick — shared quite the message for Green on social media.
“You cannot let your jealousy of a man who has 4 DPOY to your 1, cloud your professionalism on national TV as an employed analyst!” Johnson wrote. “A current player ripping another for personal reasons who is in a conference final and you are hired to talk about the game is wrong!”
You cannot let your jealousy of a man who has 4 DPOY to your 1, cloud your professionalism on national TV as an employed analyst ! A current player ripping another for personal reasons who is in a conference final and you are hired to talk about the game is wrong! https://t.co/pMHesWkxRw
— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) May 25, 2024
While some of those in Johnson’s replies seemed to suggest he didn’t know what Inside the NBA is all about, it’s seemingly never personal when Charles Barkley or Shaquille O’Neal call out players. It’s only personal when it comes to Kendrick Perkins and his criticism, but that’s also a two-way street.
Green’s vendetta with Gobert appears to be a one-way road.
While it would be presumptuous to assume that Green is jealous that Gobert has been more recognized by the league for his defense, his negative commentary towards the Frenchmen comes across as petty at best and bitter at worst.
Johnson, a longtime analyst with the Phoenix Suns, argued that Green should not conduct himself as such on national television.
Perhaps Green is being groomed as the next Barkley, but if he’s trying to trash Gobert by using a sense of humor, it certainly doesn’t come across that way. Nobody is Charles Barkley except Charles Barkley, and some have argued that Green is almost trying too hard to be the heir apparent to him as an analyst.
Johnson sees Green’s conduct as unprofessional, arguing that his personal vendetta against Gobert overshadows his analyst role on national television. His concerns about Green’s inability to separate his rivalry with Gobert from his analyst duties seem to resonate.
