Green snaps back at Barkley following TNT analyst’s latest critical comments about him
SAN FRANCISCO >> Draymond Green’s ongoing feud with TNT analyst Charles Barkley continued Friday, when Green responded to recent criticism by claiming he is both a more accomplished player and better broadcaster than the Hall of Famer.
“Barkley should stop before I go take his job, though, because I can do that well, too,” Green said after practice. “He didn’t make enough money playing so he needs that job. He should stop talking to me.
“I have a tendency to end people, so he should stop before I take his job.”
These comments were in response to Barkley’s remarks that Green got ejected less than 10 minutes into the Warriors forward’s most recent appearance against the Lakers so that he wouldn’t have to play during Golden
State’s lottery-bound season.
Green had two points, one rebound and four assists when he was ejected for arguing a foul call with officials.
“He had his normal triple-single,” Barkley said during halftime of TNT’s Feb. 27 broadcast. “Why doesn’t he talk all the stuff when he’s got those other boys with him? No, man. ,,, Now he’s out there and got to fight for himself and he just doesn’t want to play.”
Green — who has missed the last four games with left knee soreness and participated in his first practice in a week — used his first media availability since being called out to take aim at Barkley, who made 11 AllStar appearances in his 16year career, but failed to ever win an NBA championship during his time with Phoenix, Philadelphia and Houston.
“If he keeps talking, I’ll take (his job) soon — sooner than he thinks,” Green said. “He probably should keep quiet. He also can’t talk basketball with me, either. Not smart enough, not qualified.
“No rings, can’t sit at this table.”
Barkley’s history with Green includes saying
on the air in 2018 that he wanted to “punch him in the face so bad.” He also questioned Green’s toughness in 2015.
PLAYING AS SCHEDULED >> The Warriors’ game tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers is still on, the team announced Friday evening, even though San Francisco’s city government rec- ommended sporting events be canceled as coronavirus spreads through parts of the Bay Area.
The organization did urge those who are feeling sick and fans with underlying health issues not to attend the game, which will tip off at 5:30 p.m. and air nationally on ABC. A release from the Warriors said the team is “continuing to monitor the situation and the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”
Mayor London Breed announced Friday evening that city health officials recommended the cancellation of any non-essential large gathering like sporting events, concerts and conventions.
The Warriors’ statement said that there is an increase in cleaning staff at Chase Center, and they will use hospital-grade disinfectant to clean seats, elevators and door handles throughout the arena.
BIG THREE INJURY NEWS >> Klay Thompson, rehabbing from a torn ACL he suffered in last June’s
NBA Finals, was dressed for the Warriors’ practice and participated in shooting and non-contact drills on Friday. Asked if he will start contact work anytime soon, coach Steve Kerr said, “That will come over
the summer.”
Having missed the last four games with a sore left knee, Green participated in his first practice in nearly a week and could play tonight.
Meanwhile, Steph Curry, after playing in his first game in four months after being sidelined for 58 games with a broken left hand, woke up sore Friday morning. Practice was mostly a film session and a light walkthrough of sets, after which Curry underwent treatment.
“He said he was sore but a good sore,” Kerr said. “He woke up and got out of bed and I said ‘What hurt?’ and he said ‘Pretty much everything.’ But he smiled and said it felt good just to feel that way again.” BOWMAN UPDATE >> Warriors guard Ky Bowman, sidelined for the last four games with a right ankle sprain, will miss at least the next two games before being re-evaluated, according to the team.
Bowman suffered the injury in the final minute of the Warriors’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 27, after which he underwent an MRI last week that revealed a lateral ankle sprain. He will be evaluated before next Thursday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets.
“He’s healing pretty quickly,” Kerr said after Bowman lightly participated in Friday’s practice.