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The Golden State Warriors are falling apart—and Draymond Green isn’t holding back. After another ugly blowout loss, the four-time champion called out his teammates’ lack of commitment and hinted at selfish agendas inside the locker room.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green pushed back forcefully against Yahoo Sports analyst Kevin O’Connor on Wednesday following a wave of reports detailing tension inside the Warriors’ locker room.
The dispute emerged after ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that some Warriors players reacted with “eye rolls” to comments made by second-year guard Brandin Podziemski, who said during the offseason that he “wants to be better than Stephen Curry,” Golden State’s franchise icon and four-time NBA champion.
O’Connor, responding to Slater’s report, sharply criticized the Warriors’ veterans, arguing they were unfairly targeting their younger teammates.
Kevin O’Connor: ‘The Old Guys Are the Problem in Golden State’
In a viral Threads post, O’Connor defended Podziemski and blasted the team’s veteran core—which includes Green, Curry and Jimmy Butler —for the team’s early struggles.
“Who cares if Podz says he hopes to be better than Steph Curry?” O’Connor wrote. “It’s ridiculous that Warriors veterans are side-eyeing him—or Jonathan Kuminga or any other young teammates. The old guys are the problem in Golden State. Not the youth.”
O’Connor went further, writing that Green has “declined” and calling Butler “a malcontent who has failed to step up in the biggest moments.” He added that Curry “deserves so much better.”
Draymond Green Fires Back: ‘I SPEAK FOR ME! ALWAYS!’
Green, never one to avoid confrontation, responded directly to O’Connor.
“Who said it was the young guys, Kevin? I said WE!!” Green replied. “I don’t mince words and you don’t have to speak for me… I SPEAK FOR ME! ALWAYS!”
The former Defensive Player of the Year continued, taking aim at O’Connor’s basketball knowledge.
“I know far more about winning than you do,” Green added. “You couldn’t win your intramural sports and thought it was a good idea to become an NBA writer… if you want to do some in-depth analysis and game breakdown, I will also put you to shame at that.”
O’Connor Clarifies His Position: ‘I Never Referenced What You Said Postgame’
O’Connor replied that he was not referencing Green’s postgame comments directly but was addressing the broader narrative he sees among fans and within the organization.
“When did I say anything about what you said postgame? Not a thing,” O’Connor wrote.
He said his commentary was aimed at “fans pointing fingers at the young guys,” adding that Butler “took three shots last night” and that Green himself admitted he had “failed” the defense early this season.
ESPN Report Highlights Podziemski’s Ambition, Locker-Room Reactions
Slater’s report added fuel to the debate surrounding Golden State’s chemistry. According to Slater, Podziemski repeatedly referenced long-term goals in the preseason, including surpassing Curry.
His comments “elicited some eyerolls,” Slater wrote, and were brought up multiple times by those inside the organization.
Following Golden State’s 126–102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Green made pointed comments about personal agendas affecting team performance.
“Everyone has a personal agenda… but you have to make those agendas work within the team,” Green said. “If it doesn’t, you’ve got to get rid of your agenda—before the team gets rid of you.”
O’Connor Praises Green and Butler After Spurs Win
Tensions momentarily eased after the Warriors’ 125–120 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, a game highlighted by Curry’s 46 points, Butler’s aggressive 28-point performance, and Green’s standout defense on Victor Wembanyama, who committed eight turnovers despite posting a 31-point triple-double.
O’Connor acknowledged the performances, quoting his earlier criticism and reframing it as motivation.
“The Warriors beat the Spurs… because Draymond Green just had his best defensive game of the season and Jimmy Butler played with aggression all game,” O’Connor wrote. “Warriors will win more games if Dray and Butler keep playing like this. It’s in their hands. Not the youth.”
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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