ESPN analyst Jay Williams shared that there are “high-level” people questioning Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry’s leadership for him not being able to control forward Draymond Green.
Green was ejected from the Warriors’ win against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night in the first quarter for arguing with officials. Green, who has been suspended twice this season, admitted that he can’t get himself ejected from a game on a recent edition of his podcast.
Jay Williams says 'high-level' people in the NBA have been texting him and questioning Steph Curry's leadership for not being able to control Draymond Green
(h/t @awfulannouncing )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 28, 2024
“I’m getting texts from people that I really value their decision, right?” Williams said. “High-level people, and what these texts are reading is, ‘Well, how about the leadership of Stephen Curry?’ That’s where these conversations are going.”
Host Molly Qerim then asked Williams to clarify that these people were calling Curry out.
“Yes, right, for him not controlling Draymond,” Williams said.
“So in my brain, the way I process that, because I know Steph, I’ve spent time around Steph. We were talking about this during ‘Get Up,’ we wish we could have a camcorder in Steph’s car. All the things that Steph would be saying to his wife and how he’s frustrated about – because he’s one of the most competitive dudes you’ll ever meet — Draymond Green is diminishing the ultimate legacy of how people are looking at the leadership of Stephen Curry. That’s what’s happening right now.”
After last night’s ejection, Green has now been thrown out of 21 games in his NBA career.
Most ejections in NBA history
29: Rasheed Wallace
21: Draymond Green
17: Dwight Howard
16: Charles Barkley & Anthony Mason
14: Shaq & Boogie Cousinspic.twitter.com/hY254cai02— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 27, 2024
Curry shared his thoughts on the former Defensive Player of the Year’s actions after Golden State took down the Magic to remain in the No. 10 spot (the final spot in the play-in tournament) in the Western Conference.
Steph Curry on the Draymond Green ejection: “All I’ll say is we need him. He knows that. We all know that. So whatever it takes for him to be on the floor and available, that’s what’s gotta happen.” pic.twitter.com/kgUhktxLOO
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 28, 2024
The Warriors have not played well without Green this season, going 11-14 in the 25 games that he’s missed. When Green has played, the Warriors are seven games over .500 at 27-20.
It’s hard to blame Curry for Green’s actions, as he can’t control the star forward from continuously yelling at the referees in the manner that he did on Wednesday night. Regardless, Curry was able to rally his team to make sure that Golden State didn’t lose a matchup that it desperately needed on Wednesday.
After Wednesday night’s action, Golden State has a one-game advantage over the Rockets, who have won 10 games in a row. Houston is certainly in the play-in tournament picture after upsetting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.
The Warriors and Curry are hoping that Green can keep himself on the floor and help the team the rest of the season, starting with Friday night’s meeting with the Charlotte Hornets.
