Charles Barkley took his feud with the Golden State Warriors to this year’s All-Star Game. The TNT commentator got involved with Draymond Green over the Warriors’ playoff hopes.
“The Golden State Warriors are done,” Barkley told Green live during the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s game.
But Green, who joined the TNT panel for the weekend festivities as an analyst and sideline reporter, was quick to refute Barkley’s claims.
“That’s crazy,” Green said. “You said that last year, but we all know you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Barkley protested back and Green insisted.
“You say that every year! You’ve said it every year since I’ve been in the league,” Green said.
Barkley has long been an outspoken critic of the Warriors, even leaning into his role as the Golden State villain in recent years. From his place on the “Inside the NBA” panel during the playoffs last year, Barkley continually chose against the Warriors to advance, calling San Francisco “hell” ahead of the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.
His negative comments about the Bay Area date back to the “We Believe” season 15 years ago, in which he downplayed the Warriors as the inferior California team to the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2015, Barkley said the Warriors’ jump-shooting style of play would not earn them a title. They would later prove him wrong, as LeBron defeated James’ Cleveland Cavaliers and three more titles since 2015.
The Warriors’ title defense year has not been a smooth one. They are 29-29 at half time with injuries to superstar Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins and trade signing Gary Payton II holding them back.
Barkley is quick with the Warriors hatred when he smells blood, Green noted.
“That’s not true, but you’re done now,” Barkley said. “You are ready.”
“That still leaves us four (NBA championships) ahead of you, boss,” Green said.
“The Golden State Warriors are done.” -Charles Barley
“That’s crazy. You said that last year, but we all know you don’t know what you’re talking about.” – Draymond Green
“You are now done… you are ready… I tell you, you are all ready.” -Charles Barkley🏀☠️ pic.twitter.com/86jELqZKF9
— Terrible Announcement (@awfulannouncing) February 20, 2023