The Golden State Warriors are currently involved in a tightly contested first-round series against the Sacramento Kings. Draymond Green and the rest of Golden State’s championship nucleus are encountering a familiar face in Harrison Barnes.
Based on what Green said two months ago, it may not have been the friendliest reunion between him and Barnes.
When speaking to Damian Lillard on his podcast in February, Green theorized that Barnes blames him for the Warriors signing Kevin Durant, which led to them parting ways with Barnes.
“Harrison Barnes, I think to this day still don’t like me for KD coming here,” Green said. “And the reality is, I didn’t tell [Warriors GM Bob Myers] to trade you to bring KD in. … He took it very personally because of the story that came out that I cried to KD in the car. He took it very personally at me. This dude invites Steph [Curry], Klay [Thompson], everybody to his wedding except me.”
Perhaps that situation fueled Green’s immediate response to Golden State’s Game 4 win Sunday.
Barnes missed a potential game-winning three down the stretch of a 126-125 Kings loss. Green appeared to throw shade at Barnes when telling Curry they’ve “seen that movie before,” seemingly referencing the forward’s struggles in the 2016 NBA Finals.
On his latest podcast, Green said the Warriors weren’t going to allow Kings star De’Aaron Fox to beat them in the closing seconds.
“Harrison was ready to call us every B-word and 304 word in the book if he made that shot,” Green said. “As we all know, it was great to see him miss it. But even if he does make that shot, in that situation, you have to make someone else beat you.”
Game 5 begins Wednesday at 10 p.m. on TNT.