It wouldn’t be the NBA playoffs without some controversy from Golden State star Draymond Green.
And broadcasters Doris Burke and Mike Breen believe he brings plenty of it on himself.
Green’s latest dustup came Friday night in Game 6 of their Western Conference playoff series against the Houston Rockets, when Green was handed a Flagrant 1 foul after hitting Jalen Green in the head a little more than four minutes into Houston’s 115-107 victory.
That led to Burke bringing up how Green often flirts with taking things too far on the court.
“Over the last three to four weeks, what have I said about Draymond Green?” Burke said on the telecast while they showed the replay. “That it feels sometimes like he’s walking that edge again, which we’ve seen historically. That, to me, is a case in point of what I’m talking about.”
Breen then chimed in.
“And especially in such an important game,” Breen said. “Listen, nobody will deny this guy is one of the smartest defenders in NBA history. His competitive fire has been a big part of the four championships. But he crosses the line over and over. And it hurts him — and it hurts the team. And we get started with a possible flagrant foul here in such an important game.”
The controversy wasn’t just about Green’s play, but also his behavior towards officials, since Green argued with the referees following the call.
“How many guys get this kind of leash, in the league, to get a Flagrant 1 and continue the discussion?” Burke said.
Again, Breen continued the criticism.
“And in his face, yelling at him,” Breen said before complimenting Green. “Again, officials in this case, and we’ve seen it not just in this game but throughout, they’re gonna give players a little extra rope in a playoff game. Because they don’t want to have an effect. But it just gets tired. It just gets really tired.”
That led to Burke stating what’s been at the center of much of Green’s unique career.
“What we’re watching is a person’s greatest strength and greatest weakness,” Burke said. “He walks this line. But you’ve just gotten a Flagrant 1. And I would stand by this, Mike. Over the history of Draymond’s career, it feels like there’s been a double standard.”
Game 7 is slated for Sunday night in Houston.
