Draymond Green’s Ejection Sparks Sharp Criticism from Kenyon Martin
Draymond Green’s return to the court was short-lived in the Golden State Warriors’ recent clash with the Phoenix Suns - and the fallout has been anything but quiet.
With just over 10 minutes left in the second quarter of the Dec. 20 matchup at Chase Center, Green was ejected after picking up two quick technical fouls. The sequence began when he was whistled for a foul after shoving Suns guard Collin Gillespie in the back, moments after contesting a play on the defensive end.
Green didn’t take the call lightly, immediately voicing his frustration to the officiating crew. The referees didn’t hesitate - two techs, and Green was done for the night after just nine minutes on the floor.
It was his first ejection of the season, but not his first brush with controversy - and former NBA forward Kenyon Martin had plenty to say about it.
Martin, never one to mince words, used the incident as another example in his ongoing criticism of Green’s on-court behavior. In a recent interview, Martin called Green a “fake tough guy,” pointing to what he sees as a pattern of targeting smaller players who are unlikely to retaliate.
“Prime example of someone who doesn’t treat everyone the same,” Martin said. “Who is selective to their approach to who they want to play that way with.
The physicality is a part of the game, we know that. But I just think what I said before, I feel my personal opinion, when you are selective at picking on guys that are half your size and knowing that those guys aren’t going to do anything back to you, that’s probably - if you look in the Webster - that’s probably the definition of it.”
Martin, who built his own reputation as a fierce and physical competitor during his playing days, clearly sees a difference between being tough and being tactical with physicality. And in his eyes, Green doesn’t measure up to the standard of true enforcers who brought the same energy regardless of the matchup.
Still, Green’s impact on the court - when he’s on it - remains significant. Now in his 14th season, all with Golden State, he continues to contribute with his signature blend of defense and playmaking. He’s averaging eight points, six rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game - numbers that may not leap off the stat sheet but speak to his role as a connective piece in the Warriors’ system.
The Warriors, meanwhile, are hovering just below .500 with a 14-15 record, sitting eighth in the Western Conference standings. They’ve got a slim edge over the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers, while trailing the Phoenix Suns by 1.5 games and the Houston Rockets by 4.5.
With Green’s latest ejection adding another layer of drama to an already rocky season, Golden State will look to steady the ship as they prepare to host the Orlando Magic on Dec. 22.
Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET - and all eyes will be on whether Green can keep his emotions in check and stay on the floor.