Draymond Green has heard enough. The Warriors veteran launched into a full-throated defense of teammate Jonathan Kuminga this week, pushing back against what he believes are clichés surrounding the young forward's role.
The Golden State Warriors recently moved Kuminga and Brandin Podemski to the bench during back-to-back games in San Antonio, a move that reignited speculation about Kuminga's well-being.
Green noted that after the Golden State Warriors got off to a 66-6 start, there was growing online chatter regarding Kuminga as a scapegoat. As he said:
“Obviously, I thought JK was playing really well. So to be out of the starting lineup, it kind of sucks,” Green shared on The Draymond Green Show . “But I think sometimes people start and come off the bench more than they actually are.
“I know everybody loves good drama. Everybody's like, 'Oh my gosh, he's the scapegoat,' and this, and that, and so on. There's no scapegoat. We're 13 games in. The irony is, all the people who start going around saying scapegoat are guys who've never won. So you think a scapegoat is needed. But in Game 12, when you know how to win a championship, there's no scapegoat. In the 12th In a race, when you are not the front runner and you are the champion, there is no scapegoat anyway.
“Decisions are made and then you move forward and make the best decision that you think will get you the win. So I think it's interesting to hear a lot of people who've never won and some losers say, 'Oh my gosh, he's been made the scapegoat,' like, only bad teams and losers would panic in Game 12 of 82 with 70 games left.”
It's clear Green won't tolerate the false narrative surrounding his teammates.
“I know JK was doubtful last night if he was going to play, but he ended up not playing because he didn't really feel it,” Green shared. “But, of course, people are going to create drama and say Kuminga didn't come out after halftime because he was mad that he didn't play. Unfortunately, guys, I'm living this. So I know something that you guys don't know. And I know JK is questionable because his knee was sore before Oklahoma City. Look! Oh my gosh! It's not what you guys thought it was. It's unbelievable. Look at that.
“How about this? JK has been one of the most recognized players on the team all year long. How about that? Man, he's not the asshole and babe that you all want to portray him as and think he's always complaining. How about this? JK has made it clear that he wants to be an All-Star. He thinks he has All-Star potential and he wants to achieve that. He made it clear, 1,000. We all know that when you feel like things are not going well, as a competitor, of course you're going to work your ass off.
“Of course, you want to feel something. Who wants someone who doesn't feel anything? Great. I'm going to show you a loser right there. So I think it's funny. You all just try to take whatever you want and spin it, and I'm here to tell you, you never have to do that with my words.”
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