As the NBA season wraps up, players like Stephen Curry are quick to swap the court for golf courses. Others choose to lounge on beaches, perhaps in Cabo, to unwind and soak up some sun.
But Draymond Green? He’s making the most of his off-time in a different fashion—by stirring up a podcast rivalry.
In this corner is Austin Rivers, who has spent 11 seasons in the league and happens to be the son of well-known coach Doc Rivers.
On a recent episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” Green took a jab at Rivers, claiming he received “the biggest bailout in American history” prior to Trump’s airline bailout. The jab referred to Rivers’ $35 million deal with the Clippers, a team formerly owned by his father, back in 2016.
Rivers didn’t let Green’s comments slide and responded on Instagram with a subtle personal dig. He suggested that perhaps Green had been influenced by his close relationship with LeBron James, implying that Green might be projecting that connection onto himself.
This exchange originated from Rivers’ dissatisfaction with previous remarks by Green. Green, who is noted for his defensive skills and assists to Curry, had claimed that being coached by Steve Kerr limited his scoring potential and negatively impacted his career.
Rivers appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” to criticize Green’s opinion as “ridiculous,” asserting that Green’s intelligence and Kerr’s system are invaluable. He expressed bafflement over Green’s perspective.
Additionally, Rivers pointed out that Green was “not a scorer.”
Clearly, Green was compelled to respond. Acknowledging his journey, he stated he found it intriguing that someone picked 10th in the draft would comment on a player who was chosen 35th. He reflected on his own evolution in the sport, contrasting it with Rivers’ high school achievements, hinting that they represent Rivers’ peak.
Completing his 14th season, Green challenged Rivers’ evaluation of his NBA successes, particularly since Rivers averaged only 8.5 points across his time with seven different teams.
Green further remarked, “At times, it’s better to stay silent. Not everything is up for discussion.” He suggested that Rivers’ remarks might have been misguided, indicating some embarrassment over the situation.
Rivers, acknowledging Green’s accomplishments as a four-time champion, mentioned that while his initial reactions were positive, he felt Green’s tone turned condescending when he involved both him and his father.
To wrap up the back-and-forth, Rivers joked that they should just be “frenemies,” suggesting a truce of sorts in the ongoing exchange.
