Draymond Green has heard enough. The Warriors veteran unleashed a full-throated defense of teammate Jonathan Kuminga this week, pushing back on what he sees as tired narratives surrounding the young forwards role.
The back-and-forth began after Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski were shifted to the bench during Golden States recent back-to-back set in San Antonio, a move that reignited speculation about Kumingas happiness.
Green pointed to a growing wave of online chatter that framed Kuminga as a scapegoat following Golden States six-and-six start. As he put it:
Obviously, I think JK has been playing really well. So to go out of the starting lineup, it kind of sucks, Green shared on The Draymond Green Show. But I think also people make starting and coming off the bench sometimes more than what it really is.
I know everyone loves a good drama. Everybodys saying, Oh man, hes being the scapegoat, and this, that and all that. Theres no scapegoat. Were 13 games in. Ironically, all the people that start running around saying scapegoat are people that never won. So you think theres a scapegoat needed. But in Game 12, when you know what it takes to win a championship, theres no scapegoat. In Game 12, also when youre not front-runners and youre champions, theres no scapegoat anyway.
Decisions are just kind of made, and you move on and you make the best decision that you think is going to put you in position to win. And so I found it very funny hearing a lot of people that never won and some losers say, Oh man, hes being scapegoated, like, only bad teams and losers panic in Game 12 of an 82-game season with 70 games left.
Its clear Green wont tolerate the false narrative surrounding his teammate.
I know JK was questionable to see if he was going to play last night, and he ended up not playing because he wasnt really feeling it, Green shared. But of course, people are going to create drama and say Kuminga didnt come out after halftime because he was mad he didnt play. Unfortunately, guys, I live this thing. So I know a few more things that yall dont know. And I know JK was questionable because his knees were sore before OKC. Voila! Oh my God! Its not what yall thought. Its unbelievable. Look at that.
How about this? JK has been one of the most bought-in guys on the team all year. How about that? Oh my God, hes not the fking ahole and baby that yall try to make him out to be, and think hes always complaining. How about that? JK has made it very clear he wants to be an All-Star. He thinks he has All-Star potential, and he wants to fulfill that. Hes made that very clear, 1,000 percent we all know that. So when you feel like things arent quite going your way to allow it, that youre going to be upset as a competitor, of course. Kid works his ass off.
Of course, you want to feel some type of way. Who would want someone that doesnt feel any type of way? Great. Ill show you a loser right to your face. So I found that very interesting. You all just kind of try to take whatever you want and spin it, and Im here to tell you that you never have to do that with my words.
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