Draymond Green Clarifies Barkley Jab After Warriors Championship Window Criticism

Draymond Green drew attention earlier this week with comments targeting the end of Charles Barkley's Hall of Fame career.

Green made the remarks during Wednesday's edition of Inside the NBA. He referenced Barkley's four-year run with the Houston Rockets. "I think the goal is just to not look like you in the Houston Rockets uniform," Green said. The line followed Barkley's view that Green's Golden State Warriors have passed their championship window.

As the backlash grew days later, Green addressed his words on The Draymond Green Show. "The reason that I would even say that is what Chuck makes fun about in his career is actually the last 2 years in Houston," he said. Green added: "Everybody tried to make it like this whole ‘Ahh man Draymond think he better than Chuck’… the disrespect ain’t the intent so if that’s the way it’s viewed as public disrespect, I can gladly public apologize, disrespect wasn’t my intent."

Barkley had said Green would need to leave Golden State, the only team he has played for, for a shot at a fifth title. The Warriors' core has aged. "It’s over for the Warriors," Barkley said on May 6. "No disrespect. It is for every old team. You have your run, you get old … it just passed you by. Y’all had one of the greatest runs ever."

Barkley responded to Green a couple of days later on the Bickley and Marotta radio show on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. "Draymond is a good player. We’re not on the same level … I can hear, but I don’t have to respond every time somebody says something about me," he said.

In other interviews, Barkley dismissed Green's criticism. He told The Dan Patrick Show he took no offense. "He took a shot at me but I don’t get offended because ― I’ve said things about guys, they took personal shots at me," Barkley said. He added: "You know, it’s so funny, last time you had me on the show, I told you I regretted those Rocket years, especially the last two where I sucked as a player. But I wasn’t turning down no free money, I had two years left on my contract."

Barkley joined the Rockets in the 1996-97 season after the Phoenix Suns traded him there. He retired from the NBA at age 36. Green turned 36 in March. His teammate Stephen Curry, a two-time NBA MVP, turned 38 just under two months ago.

Barkley's 16-year NBA career ended in 2000. He averaged 22.1 points and 11.7 rebounds.