Draymond Green has never been one to shy away from accountability-or conflict. He’s said it himself: he cost the Warriors a title in 2016.
That Finals meltdown, punctuated by a Game 5 suspension after a flagrant foul on LeBron James, still looms large in Golden State lore. But now, nearly a decade later, Green is facing a very different kind of criticism-this time from fans who believe his current play is hurting the Warriors' chances of getting Steph Curry a fifth ring.
Green, who’s remained active through his podcast and social media (especially Threads, where he’s been more vocal lately), recently clapped back at a fan whose username, @expensivebackpackfor30, was clearly designed to take a jab at him. The fan blamed both Green and Warriors owner Joe Lacob for "not letting" Curry win another championship. Green’s response was short, sharp, and loaded with sarcasm:
“Just like we were the reasons he never had a shot at 1 huh?”
It’s classic Draymond-defensive, biting, and unafraid to push back. And while the fan criticism may sting, it’s not coming out of nowhere.
This season has been rough for Green. His averages-8.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists-aren’t far off from his usual stat lines, but the impact has felt different.
He’s turning the ball over more often, his defensive edge has come with more volatility than control, and he’s already been ejected multiple times. One of those incidents included a heated shouting match with head coach Steve Kerr on the bench-an image that speaks volumes about the internal tension brewing in Golden State.
The question fans are now asking is a tough one: is Draymond Green helping or hurting the Warriors’ title hopes in 2026?
To answer that, you have to go back to 2016, when the Warriors were a juggernaut on the verge of cementing the greatest season in NBA history. Up 3-1 in the Finals against Cleveland, they were one win away from back-to-back titles.
Then came Green’s Game 5 suspension, a turning point that helped swing the momentum toward the Cavaliers. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving took full advantage, and the rest is history-Cleveland pulled off the greatest comeback the Finals has ever seen.
Green has never dodged responsibility for that moment. Speaking on the Checc’n In Podcast With Big U back in 2022, he owned it outright:
“We lost,” Green said. “I take that on the chin.
I cost us a championship. I'm fine with that.
I can take that on the chin, no problem. I own up to my mistakes.”
He also hinted at a bigger issue: the way NBA officials treat him. According to Green, the league has a different set of rules when it comes to his behavior on the court-something that’s followed him throughout his career and continues to be a flashpoint today.
That reputation, fair or not, is part of what makes Draymond Green such a polarizing figure. His intensity, his leadership, his defensive IQ-those are the things that helped build a dynasty. But when that edge tips into instability, it can be just as damaging.
So, did Draymond cost Curry another ring this year? That’s a loaded question, and one that probably won’t have a clear answer until the season plays out. What’s certain is that Green remains a lightning rod-on the court, in the locker room, and now, more than ever, in the comment sections of social media.
And for better or worse, that’s exactly who he’s always been.