Draymond Green Cites LeBron James–Stephen A. Smith Clash to Expose ESPN Analyst’s Hypocrisy

Stephen A. Smith went on the attack against former colleague Jemele Hill and Draymond Green after he felt that the latter two had ganged up to criticize him.

The Golden State Warriors star and the former SportsCenter anchor were discussing how the entire discourse surrounding Jaylen Brown seemed manufactured and that the media had a hand in it.

They felt that journalists such as the First Take host do not have access to locker rooms to know the truth, but continue to say whatever they did based on hearsay and second- or third-hand reports.

Smith first reminded Hill that he had enjoyed more locker room access than most journalists had. To Green, he basically painted a picture of why the four-time champion was irked by him, despite having a relationship previously.

People supported you too. I supported you too. Does that mean I can’t speak on you? Because you do that to everybody… Guys don’t love you… Because you come strutting in the arena and no player has the chance to say something to you, then you get confronted on the sideline by LeBron James because you not in the locker room.

Draymond Green said on his namesake show

The former Defensive Player of the Year reminded Smith that the LeBron James confrontation, and when other players criticize him on their podcasts, it is his doing. That is because he does not allow players to speak to him and address whatever rhetoric there is.

Draymond Green Calls out Stephen A Smith 😳

Draymond says Stephen A isn’t in the locker room like most journalists are to where the players have a chance to say something back to him on his takes. He struts downs the tunnel in pre game and guys don’t love him. So the only place… https://t.co/tN7CWq3cI3 pic.twitter.com/PuHi02XW8T

— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) July 12, 2026

Green then reminded Smith that if you say something, then there will be a response. If he can respond to players and criticize them, so can they. Therefore, it is hypocritical to cry wolf when players throw barbs at him.

Draymond Green believes Stephen A. Smith thinks he is above players

After talking about why Stephen A. Smith gets blowback from players, Draymond Green then dove into how the relationship changed over the course of the ESPN analyst’s career.

You very much so are right up there at the top… A lot of players having a relationship with you were facts. Until you started to disrespect players as if you were a player. There’s a fine line.

Green said

The 36-year-old reminded the analyst that once you start talking like a mob boss and threatening players, it will rub people the wrong way.

This is a stark contrast to the times when players would speak highly of the New York native. Green reminded his viewers that he was also in the same boat and even talked about how he used to appreciate the guidance Smith gave.

But now, the latter’s rhetoric and actions have pushed Green and others away. They now loathe Smith. Therefore, if the ESPN executive producer has anyone to blame regarding this development, it is himself.

Draymond Green calls out Stephen A. Smith’s tendency to shift the blame

Draymond Green went on to explain why Stephen A. Smith gets all this criticism, even though he claims the original news did not come from him.

Stephen A, the problem I have is you get upset about the very thing that you do… No. 1, say what you say. If you are going to quote, stand on that… You can’t always throw it to somebody else… Regardless of what other people say, if you say it, it’s yours now.

Green said

The four-time All-Star gave an example of how, if he were remixing and sampling a song of another artist, people would recognize it as his sample, even though there is an original artist.

Likewise, since Smith repeatedly cites his ‘sources’ and shifts blame to them, Green believes that once the father of two uses that information to bolster his analogy, it becomes his burden to bear.

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