This season, Draymond Green seems to be creating a new rivalry with the Grizzlies’ rookie, Zach Edey. During Saturday’s Warriors vs. Grizzlies matchup at Chase Center, Green was back to his old tricks. As the fourth quarter began, Green committed a hard foul on the Canadian center. Annoyed by Green’s antics, the rookie shoved the veteran in response to his intentional foul.
This was the third altercation between the two this season as the saga continues. The last time, Green was given a flagrant foul for clutching Edey’s leg as he squatted on the floor. Prior to that, Green had hit Edey in the face on another occasion. After the game, Green was visibly frustrated with the referees, questioning why his flagrant foul calls were made and remonstrating with their ‘high-handedness’.
“No, but it’s Draymond Green, that’s why it’s a flagrant foul…. I got a tech for saying ‘Booom’. I say “boom’ every time I make a three…. When did they become so above the law that you can’t say ‘Boom’” Green said candidly to reporters
Draymond Green was assessed a flagrant 1 after this play on Zach Edey. pic.twitter.com/CsC53oru09
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 5, 2025
Draymond Green asked about Zach Edey: “He play in the NBA.” Asked about his skill set: “He play in the NBA.”
On his technical: “When did (the referees) become so above the law that you can’t say ‘Boom!’” pic.twitter.com/dKtiWHzjsY
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 5, 2025
Since the beginning of this season, Draymond Green has proclaimed, rather proudly, that he would aim to keep his total technical fouls to a minimum of 8 to 10, which is far below the league’s 16-tech limit. In the past, his inability to remain poised and his frustration with the officials have cost him and his team games. However, his confrontational style of play and his habit of lunging at players during rebounds continue to lead to foul trouble.
With both teams missing key offensive players like Stephen Curry and Ja Morant, the game was far more physical than expected. This brewing cold war between the two franchises also stems from their faceoffs in the 2021 play-in tournament and their playoff battle the following year.
Draymond Green’s fierce response to Zach Edey
The animosity between the two started on November 15 during NBA Cup matchups. As the third quarter progressed, Draymond Green tried to get past Jaren Jackson Jr. and drive to the basket for a layup. However, during the attempt, he tripped and fell-over in process. After losing the possession of the ball to Zach Edey, Green resorted to his dirty tactics, grabbing onto the rookie’s leg, which caused him to slam onto the wooden court.
Draymond Green trips Zach Edey: pic.twitter.com/f8CowE4RFh
— eric (@EricTweetsNBA) November 16, 2024
When the Grizzlies head coach, Taylor Jenkins, called out Green for “breaking the code” of the league, Green had a one-word retort for the coach and his rookie. “Shut Up“- Green wrote in a comment on Instagram post
The Warriors’ center has made it crystal clear that he isn’t a fan of the Canadian rookie and even questioned if his skillset is fitting for the NBA.
In his rookie season, the Canadian professional basketball player is averaging 10.9 points and 7.9 rebounds as a center for the Memphis Grizzlies. Getting into a confrontation with the notorious Draymond Green thrice already in his first season in the league is surely a “welcome to the NBA” experience for the 7’4″ rookie.
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