Draymond Green criticizes 'ridiculous agenda' to make Warriors star 'look like an angry black man'
Context:
Draymond Green, a key player for the Golden State Warriors, faces the risk of automatic suspension after receiving his fifth technical foul in nine playoff games. He expressed frustration over what he perceives as a 'ridiculous agenda' to portray him as an 'angry Black man,' emphasizing his success and character beyond the court. Green's statement followed an incident where he received a technical foul for hitting Timberwolves' Naz Reid, which he feels was unjustly called by the officials. The ambiguity remains as to whether his criticism is directed at the media, NBA officials, or both. Coach Steve Kerr acknowledged Green's need to manage his emotions to prevent future suspensions, especially crucial in the absence of Stephen Curry.
Dive Deeper:
Draymond Green is nearing an automatic suspension due to accumulating five technical fouls in nine playoff games, raising concerns about his conduct and its impact on the Warriors during Stephen Curry's absence.
In a postgame statement, Green criticized a perceived agenda to depict him as an 'angry Black man,' asserting his identity as a successful, educated, and skilled individual, and rejecting this negative portrayal.
The latest technical foul, issued during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, involved Green elbowing Naz Reid, which he argues was an exaggerated call by the officials, possibly reflecting biases he perceives in media and officiating.
Uncertainty surrounds whether Green's comments target the media narratives, NBA officials, or both, as he has previously criticized his portrayal in the media and expressed dissatisfaction with officiating during the game.
Coach Steve Kerr highlighted the importance of Green maintaining composure to avoid further technical fouls and potential suspension, emphasizing his critical role on the team, especially with Curry sidelined by injury.
Green's offensive performance in Game 2 was subdued compared to his previous outings, scoring only nine points and securing four rebounds, marking a decrease in his on-court contribution.
Dan Treacy, a content producer for Sporting News, provides coverage of the situation, noting Green's past challenges with technical fouls and the broader implications for the Warriors' playoff performance.
Warriors star Draymond Green is teetering dangerously close to an automatic suspension after picking up his fifth technical foul in nine playoff games, but he's pushing back against the narrative that his temper is a problem.
After he was hit with a technical foul for striking Timberwolves big man Naz Reid in the face with an elbow in Thursday night's Game 2 loss, Green made a brief but very intentional statement to reporters in the locker room.
Green believes the way he's being portrayed — not the way he's behaving on the court — is the biggest factor in his shaky reputation as he approaches the technical foul limit for a Warriors team that badly needs him on the court in Stephen Curry's absence.
Here's what Green had to say after the Warriors' defeat in Minnesota.
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What did Draymond Green say?
Green only delivered a brief statement to reporters in the Warriors' locker room after Thursday's loss, calling out a "ridiculous agenda" to make him "look like an angry black man.""I'm not an angry black man. I'm a very successful, educated black man with a great family. I'm great at basketball. I'm great at what I do," Green said. "The agenda to continue to keep making me look like an angry black man is crazy. I'm sick of it. It's ridiculous."
Draymond Green just wanted to give one quick postgame statement: “The agenda to continue to keep making me look like an angry black man is crazy. I’m sick of it. It’s ridiculous.” pic.twitter.com/ay7TLFhjWL
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 9, 2025 Whether Green was targeting the media, NBA officials or both is unclear. He has complained about the way he's been portrayed in the media before, but on Thursday, it was the officials he drew his ire during the game. Green was irate when his hit to the face of Reid was called a technical foul. He appeared to be trying to sell a foul call against Reid but took the effort a step too far in the eyes of the officials.
Draymond Green elbows Naz Reid in the head, after a foul by Reid (with replays).
Upon review, Green received a technical foul.
His fifth technical in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/gr0vKeQc18— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) May 9, 2025 After the game, coach Steve Kerr said Green was aware he has to keep his emotions in check going forward to avoid an automatic suspension. "He's going to have to stay composed and I'm confident he will," Kerr told reporters.
Green had a quieter offensive night in Game 2 after back-to-back games of at least 16 points, scoring nine points on 3-of-10 shooting. Green's four rebounds were his fewest since a Game 5 loss to the Rockets in the previous round.
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