Draymond Green’s defensive prowess is undeniable, yet his on-court behavior often overshadows his skills. How so? Remember his 2016 suspension for a flagrant foul on LeBron James? How about his ejection after stomping on Domantas Sabonis? Not to mention how he took things too far with Steven Adams. So, despite receiving all the accolades, including multiple All-Defensive Team honors, his antics have more or less left him facing extensive criticism. What’s more, after just recently committing a flagrant foul, he was back at it in the Warriors vs. Timberwolves Game 2. Now that the stakes for the team are so high, can the team even afford this?

In Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Green received his fifth technical foul of the postseason after elbowing Naz Reid in the head. While he made it seem like it was an accident, a lot of fans are not buying it. Moreover, this brings him closer to a potential suspension, as NBA rules stipulate a one-game suspension after seven technical fouls in the playoffs. This couldn’t have come at a worse time, with Stephen Curry now being sidelined due to injury. Green’s availability becomes even more critical for the Warriors’ success in the series.

The incident sparked discussions on the “Come and Talk 2 Me” podcast, where Ma$e criticized Green’s actions. In his words, “I know Draymond is not like that with everybody. He wouldn’t dare pull this on Isaiah from—what’s that—Detroit. He would have never did this to him.” However, he didn’t stop here, pointing out that Green tends to target less confrontational players, avoiding altercations with players who would fight back! Ma$e claimed, “He would never do this to Ron Artest. He would never do this to Charles Barkley, Kevin McHale—just anybody you could think of that was like a real tough guy.” What’s worse? He thinks all these antics may just end up costing the Warriors another opportunity at the championship.

Cam’ron offered a different perspective. He acknowledges Green’s tough-guy persona but added that Green needs to be more self-aware. According to him, how Green is being looked at has everything to do with his past actions. Ouch! Cam’ron suggested that as Green matures, he should recognize the impact of his actions and adjust his behavior accordingly. But his view differed from that of Ma$e, “I like him as an individual. If I was to go out and get with— get into s**t, I would want him with me.” Cam’ron elaborated, “He’s created this, uh, scenario for himself… when you’re known as a tough guy, when you’re known as a bully… it’s going to give a certain perception.” He added, “You know why they targeting you. You know what I’m saying?”

The stakes are high now; Green needs to get himself together and make sure no mistakes happen. After all, at this stage of the game, it’s easy to fumble, and this is one area the Warriors need to keep him in check.

Warriors collapse in game 2 without Curry, while the Draymond Green debate grows louder

Without Steph Curry, the Warriors looked unrecognizable in Game 2, falling 117-93 to the Timberwolves in a game that slipped away fast. The Wolves opened with a 13-0 run, and despite some hustle from Golden State’s young bench, there was never a serious pushback. It’s clear now: without their star, the Dubs’ margin for error is razor thin.

Steve Kerr shook up the starting five, hoping size would help by inserting rookie Quinten Post. It didn’t. The post lasted just three minutes. Draymond Green and Buddy Hield went cold from deep, and Jimmy Butler, still limited by injury, played it too safe. He kicked the ball out more than attacking, finishing with 17 quiet points. The energy just wasn’t there.

While the loss was tough, the conversation around Draymond Green wasn’t going away either. His recent incident added fuel to the fire. What about Jimmy Butler? He opened the scoring for Golden State but didn’t take over like fans hoped. Maybe that lingering pelvic injury is still bothering him. Butler often drove into the paint, only to kick it out instead of attacking the rim. He ended with 17 points, but it never felt like he was in full control. Draymond Green, meanwhile, was quiet on both ends and far from his usual vocal self.

After the game, Kerr addressed the cautious minutes for his veterans. “I didn’t want to push it with Draymond or Jimmy,” Kerr said. “I didn’t want to chase this game unless it was really gettable. And we obviously made a push in the second half. But first half, we went into the game thinking we’re playing a lot of people, short burst minutes, and try to protect Jimmy and Draymond. They’ve been playing huge minutes every other day, flying all over the country. So we had to weigh that.”

The young guns tried to step up. Trayce Jackson-Davis brought some energy and muscle inside, posting 15 points and 6 rebounds in just 17 minutes. Jonathan Kuminga finally showed signs of life, too. He went 8-for-11 and dropped 18 points, leading the team. But Kerr’s rotation choices were baffling. Pulling Kuminga right after he sparked a comeback? Inserting Moody and Spencer, who both struggled? That shift crushed their momentum. Now the series heads back to the Bay tied 1-1, but the questions are stacking up fast. Can the Warriors get Curry back in time? And if not, who’s ready to lead when things fall apart?