"He's frustrated because he can't play the way he used to play" - Charles Barkley weighs in on Draymond Green's on-court actions
After yet another extremely dirty play and ejection against the Suns just a few days ago, Draymond was hit with an indefinite suspension by the NBA. Green's swing to Jusuf Nurkic was the final straw for the NBA after Dray was ejected for the third time this season in just 15 games in which he has played.
In the aftermath of his ejection, many analysts had some choice words for the Warriors forward, including Charles Barkley on the Dan Patrick Show.
A brief history of Draymond's ejections and flagrants
Draymond Green is not new to getting ejected, nor is he new to racking up flagrant fouls. With three ejections already this season, his total is now up to 20 in his career, second to only Rasheed Wallace. The difference between Wallace and Green, however, is that Wallace's 29 ejections were mostly from double technicals after arguing with referees, whereas Draymond's have mostly been from flagrant fouls.
Just this season, Draymond missed five games after putting Rudy Gobert into a chokehold less than two minutes into a game against the Timberwolves. His first ejection this season was against the Cavaliers, in which Green received two technicals, the second resulting from an altercation with Donovan Mitchell. As it stands, given his suspension, Dray has been ejected from 20% of the games he has played this season. Once the suspension is lifted, it will be up to him to get that number down.
Draymond's first ejection was in 2013, in admittedly a soft call against the Blazers, but his next one just a month later was absolutely justified. An elbow thrown to the head of Blake Griffin was enough to get ejected, racking up two suspensions in a little over a month.
His next ejection wouldn't come until 2017, though he was suspended by the league in the 2016 NBA Finals, where he missed a crucial game 5 in a series in which the Cavs would come back from 3-1.
Since 2017, the suspensions have been numerous, resulting from throwing balls at referees, arguing calls, and fighting with players. This past season, he also was suspended by the league for a game for surpassing the maximum amount of technicals allowed in a season, 16. In the playoffs, he stomped on Domantas Sabonis, resulting in another penalty from the league. Charles Barkley had a theory to share on just why the suspensions and ejections were increasing.
What did Chuck say?
"He's frustrated because he can't play the way he used to play," Barkley said.
He even added his own personal sentiment, explaining how his own experience paralleled Draymond's behavior.
"My last two years with the Rockets, I sucked as a player," he continued. "I actually hit Othella Harrington; nobody knows about it. I hit him in practice because he was working so hard, and there was nothing I could do about it. It was because I couldn't play anymore, so I was playing dirty. I see the same thing with Draymond, he's not the same player, and he's frustrated."
This season, Draymond is averaging the worst defensive rating in his career. Stats-wise, the Warriors forward is still putting up regular assists, rebounds, and points, but the defensive rating is where he is struggling the most.
Regression is normal in sports; as you age, it is not surprising that it gets worse, with Lebron as an exception. However, Draymond doesn't seem to realize his conduct is hurting his team. Punching Jordan Poole in last season's preseason, amongst other flagrant fouls and ejections Draymond has been a part of, ultimately seems no big deal.
Fines and 1-game suspensions are basically a slap on the wrist, and now, finally, with an indefinite suspension, it will be up to him to determine the player he wants to be when he returns.
"I think you need to be embarrassed when your boss says, 'Hey, you know what, you're hurting the team I'm gonna do something to you,'" Barkley said. "You've been great for this organization, you've been great for this team, but you're not worth the effort. We are tired of dealing with this BS."
For the betterment of the league, fans and players hope Draymond can get better during his suspension. Teammates have vocalized their support for Green, but ultimately, it is up to him to change. Hopefully, he is embarrassed and decides, you know what, I'll show everyone I've changed when I get back.
