The NBA has already been wildly dramatic to start the year. Whether it be Giannis Antetokounmpo and his game ball or historic losing streaks, there is something new in the NBA every day. However, nothing was quite as shocking as Draymond Green getting suspended twice in the span of a few weeks. While the first led to widespread outcry, the second instance was even worse. With the NBA world demanding Green seek some form of professional help, the former 2x DPOY looks set to miss quite some time. But, Shaquille O’Neal isn’t on board with the idea. As he proclaimed a week ago, the perception around Draymond has been a false one, to begin with.

On the NBA on TNT pre-game coverage, Shaq reiterated his stance. “I hate that y’all put that narrative on him…The man don’t need counselling…On the court, he don’t need nothing. Off the court, he’s a solid human being.” 

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According to him, the behavior the 4x champ displays on the court is a persona. “Everyone has to have a certain character on the court. My character, Ernie, I will elbow you till your damn teeth come off…I was mean on the court, but off the court, I’m a different person. So, listen, he does a lot of things that are crazy on the court.”

But that is all part of the “character”, as the Los Angeles Lakers legend calls it. “Don’t put the man in no, he needs counseling. Nothing wrong with Draymond.” His argument’s basis was the changing narrative around the Golden State Warriors superstar. “4-5 years ago, you were saying he’s a great Power Forward. Kenny, he don’t need the double. He’s undersized, but he’s tough.” While he was willing to admit Draymond’s mistake on that particular move, the overall narrative was not okay for Shaq.

However, Charles Barkley was on the opposite end of the spectrum when discussing Draymond.

Going against Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley is harsh in critiquing Draymond

Chuckster wasn’t about to get into a long-winded debate. He would pose a simple question to his co-host. “You think punching a guy in the face is part of the game?” When Diesel would point to the both of them also engaging in similar behavior, the Philadelphia 76ers legend had an immediate response. “I didn’t punch nobody in the face. And I didn’t choke anybody.” 

For the Miami Heat legend, the distinction between on and off the court is what makes the scenario okay. Despite substantial evidence to the contrary, the 7-footer wasn’t willing to hear any of it, instead sticking to the idea he proclaimed a week ago. Whether it was Draymond choking Rudy Gobert (“he was defending his teammate”) or the Jusuf Nurkic punch (“the only mistake he made was extending his arms”). Those two incidents, eventually, would trigger the counseling conversation, further fueled by current and former teammates like Kevin Durant speaking out.

While the merits of should he or shouldn’t can be a topic of discussion, the fact of the matter is, he is. So, the best thing from the current standpoint is to hope that whatever help the brash superstar is trying to get helps him in the long run.

How he makes his return could answer this debate in the best possible way. Do you think Shaq is justified in his defense of Draymond Green?

Read More: Does Draymond Green Deserve an Indefinite Suspension?