Golden State Warriors big man Draymond Green has been involved in a series of altercations during his team’s playoff series against the Houston Rockets, including one early in Friday’s Game 6 that earned him a flagrant foul.
Green got tied up with Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets early in the first quarter, drawing a flagrant foul. Though he has gotten other flagrant and technical fouls in the series, the controversial big man has avoided ejection so far — a point that has drawn the ire of some NBA fans.
Many accused the league of employing a double standard when it comes to Green, who has never gotten to a second technical foul and automatic ejection despite a series of altercations. Some fans believe that officials put the whistle away once Green got a first technical.
“It’s the NBA fault for letting Draymond get away with this stuff his entire career,” noted NBA Lachard Brinkley in a post on X. “I GUARANTEE he won’t get another one.”
“Because it’s the playoffs the refs will never want to be the ‘deciding factor’ & Once Draymond gets his 1st technical or flagrant foul,” a fan wrote on X. “He is allowed to get away with anything and face no repercussions”
Others suggested that Green has been taking advantage of the NBA’s double standard as well, adopting a more aggressive style of play after getting a first technical foul.
“OK, now we get to see Draymond Green Unlocked,” a fan shared on X. “Draymond with one flagrant/technical has zero limitations.”
Green himself has acknowledged his aggressive style of play, joking after Game 4 that he plays at the edge.
“I’ve always walked that line,” Green said. “That’s who I am. Habitual line stepper.”