Matt Barnes was known for his fiery temper on the basketball court throughout his 14-year NBA career, so he can relate to Draymond Green.
As he chased his kid around the playground Monday afternoon, the former Warriors guard called in to 95.7 The Game’s “Damon & Ratto” to discuss Draymond’s passionate playing style. You can listen to the full interview below:
In Sunday night’s 109-90 win over the Sacramento Kings, Green fouled out in 24 minutes of action. After the game he said he hadn’t hit his “quota” of 15 technicals for the season, which would leave him one tech shy of a mandatory suspension.
Barnes said he knows how hard it can be to control your emotions in the middle of a heated NBA game.
“It’s very difficult,” Barnes told hosts Damon Bruce and Ray Ratto. “What makes him great can also be his Achilles heel at times. I was very similar. But he is the heart and soul of not only this team, but I feel like this franchise. I feel like they walk around with their chest out a little higher when Draymond Green is playing well and performing at an All-Star level. But it’s a thin line. Draymond's 32 years old and going on 33. You have to pick and choose your spots.
“As bad as the refs can be – I think we’ve all seen how bad NBA officiating can be at times – it gets really frustrating because we do put our heart and soul into every single game. These games matter and especially coming down the line, a bad call here or throwing someone out or giving someone a BS tech can cost the team a game and cost the team positioning.”
Barnes also noted Green’s most high-profile outburst in the 2016 NBA Finals, when he was suspended in Game 5 due to four postseason techs.
“Again, Dray’s one of my favorite guys,” Barnes said. “Obviously, because we’re very similar in the way we approach the game. But I think he did let the situation – I think it was ‘16 – get the best of him in the Finals and some say that could be the reason (the Warriors lost). But I think at the end of the day, you’re gonna take Draymond because he’s definitely going to bring you more good than he is bad.”
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