Draymond Green previously stated that his career goal is to avoid looking like Charles Barkley did during his time with the Houston Rockets.
Charles Barkley has declined to engage in a verbal spat or a battle of stature with Draymond Green. During Wednesday’s episode of “Inside the NBA,” the Golden State Warriors forward took a swipe at the later years of Barkley’s Hall of Fame career, specifically when he played for the Houston Rockets.
“I think the goal is just to not look like you in the Houston Rockets uniform,” Green said after Barkley suggested the Warriors’ run was finished and that Green would need to leave to compete for another title. “It’s ultimately the goal for us.”
Barkley did not respond live on air. Two days later, the 1993 NBA MVP explained why he let the remark slide.
“I never punch down,” Barkley said Friday on the “Bickley & Marotta” radio show in Arizona. “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.”
“I never punch down. Draymond’s a good player, we’re not on the same level.”
Charles Barkley had the opportunity to clap back when Draymond Green mocked Barkley’s final NBA years in Houston but chose not to.
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Barkley initially sparked the exchange by declaring the Warriors’ dynasty over. Golden State finished 37-45 last season and lost in the Play-In Tournament. The core that won four NBA titles in eight seasons is aging out of their primes: Steph Curry is 37, Green (who can become a free agent) is 36, and 36-year-old Klay Thompson now plays in Dallas. Head coach Steve Kerr even referred to the Warriors as a “fading dynasty” in December.
“It’s over for the Warriors,” Barkley said while Green was on set. “I mean, no disrespect, but it ends for every old team. You have your run. You get old. You all let Klay go. You and Steph are on the back side of your careers. It just passed you by. You all had one of the greatest runs ever. You’re not in the playoffs. You think you’re going to get healthier for next year? You’re just going to get older. That’s no disrespect. You guys had one of the greatest runs of all time. If you want to compete, you’re going to have to leave there. If Steph wants to compete, he’s going to have to leave there. You’re going to have to make that decision.”
In his retort, Green implied that Barkley’s stint with the Rockets was an example of not aging gracefully. Houston acquired Barkley before the 1996-97 season when he was 33, hoping he would be the missing piece alongside Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. Barkley spent his final four seasons with the franchise, averaging 16.5 points and 12.2 rebounds per game while making one All-Star team. The Rockets came close to a breakthrough in 1997 but lost to the Utah Jazz in six games in the Western Conference finals.
When fellow analyst Kenny Smith asked Green what Barkley in a Rockets uniform looked like, Green sarcastically added another jab.
“Did you see it?” Green asked. “I saw it.”
Green is a four-time NBA champion (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022), a four-time All-Star, and the 2017 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He has made nine All-Defensive teams, including five First Team honors, and has twice been named All-NBA. Barkley retired in 2000 with career averages of 22.1 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. His 23,
