Former NBA star Charles Barkley trolled Draymond Green, suggesting that the Golden State Warriors superstar might not show up for the next NBA Finals matchup against the Boston Celtics. Green, a 4-time NBA champion, was recruited by TNT to join the network’s alternate broadcast team. During one segment, Jaylen Brown expressed his readiness for another Celtics-Warriors showdown following the 2022 NBA Finals.
During his visit to TNT’s set on Saturday, Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown engaged in a conversation with Green about Golden State’s victory in the 2022 NBA Finals. When Brown then hinted at a potential rematch this year.
Barkley, seated on the panel with Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson, swiftly responded to the Boston Celtics guard’s remarks.
First of all, He (Green) won’t be there.
Charles Barkley said
Barkley’s comment likely pointed to the Warriors’ struggles in the current regular season. In contrast, the Celtics are leading the Eastern Conference and are solid playoff contenders. If Golden State’s inconsistent performance persists in the fiercely competitive Western Conference, Draymond Green and the team may find themselves navigating through the play-in tournament.
Draymond Green reveals players that have been instrumental to Warriors’ recent success
Entering the NBA All-Star break, the Warriors secured victory in eight out of their last 10 games, a streak veteran forward Draymond Green attributes to the significant contributions of one particular player.
Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga (Credits: NBC Sports Bay Area and California)During TNT’s All-Star Weekend broadcast on Saturday night, just before the skills competition, Green made an appearance and gave credit to Jonathan Kuminga.
Green said:
I say there’s two guys in the NBA who [don’t] have anything left to prove, and that’s Steph [Curry] and LeBron [James]. But Jonathan Kuminga has been the key to our success. Seeing how that young man has taken that next step, and he threw himself into the No. 2 option and our offense is starting to be hooked around him.
Draymond Green said
Throughout the 2023-24 NBA season, Kuminga has truly found his stride, despite facing some challenges such as concerns about his playing time and reported tensions with Steve Kerr. However, the 21-year-old and the Warriors coach managed to resolve their differences, leading to Kuminga’s exceptional performance on the court.
Since December 31st, Kuminga has been averaging an impressive 19.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, showcasing remarkable consistency by scoring double digits in 33 consecutive games. Securing a spot in Kerr’s starting lineup, Kuminga appears poised for even greater success, highlighting the promising trajectory of the former No. 7 overall pick.
