Austin Rivers strongly rejected Draymond Green’s recent remarks about his limited offensive role during the Golden State dynasty, describing the idea that he was restrained as a scorer as “comical” during a discussion on the *To The Baha* podcast.
Rivers challenged the notion that Green should have been a primary scoring option alongside elite teammates, citing the team’s championship roster makeup. “For this guy to have the delusion, and I used the word delusion, to think you’re supposed to be more of a focal point offensively in terms of scoring,” Rivers stated, as reported by HoopsHype.
He elaborated on the offensive hierarchy of the Warriors’ title teams, which centered around Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant. “We’re talking about scoring with Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Steph Curry on your team… Andrew Wiggins was the second option on another team… Wiggins was the fourth option on that team.”
Rivers pointed out that the supporting cast also had clearly defined roles, and Golden State’s depth distorted typical NBA roster structures. He referenced Jordan Poole and others as part of a system where offensive focus was never evenly distributed.
The former guard was blunt in his assessment of Green’s recent comments about coach Steve Kerr potentially hindering his offensive growth. “So for him to come out after everything his career has amounted to — Hall of Fame… and say, ‘I should have been more of a focal point offensively and Steve Kerr hindered my career’ — I’m sorry… it’s comical. Okay? It’s comical. It’s comical.”
Rivers also argued that Green had ample freedom within the offense during Golden State’s title runs. “He could have shot at any time. He was open. Every time he had the ball, he was open. He could have taken a shot whenever he wanted.”
Despite the criticism, Rivers made clear he was not diminishing Green’s legacy or impact on the team’s success. “Draymond is a Hall of Famer. That’s why he’s made over $200 million and is in the Hall of Fame… The Warriors don’t win championships without Draymond Green.”
He compared Green’s role to historically similar players, placing him in the same category as elite role players who shaped title teams without being primary scorers. “When we talk about Dennis Rodman, Draymond Green is in that conversation. He is absolutely in that conversation and he has earned his right.”
However, Rivers drew a firm line between accepting a role and openly questioning it. “You never see Dennis Rodman on a podcast saying, ‘Man, I should have shot more… Phil Jackson hindered my career.’ Never. Never.”
Green’s comments had focused on reflecting on his offensive evolution in Golden State’s system, noting that since 2016, no set plays were run for him, and suggesting it may have shaped what he could have become offensively.
