Four-time NBA champion Draymond Green has had a polarizing career. One of the league’s top antagonists, he never shies away from controversy. However, his attitude has not only caused conflicts with opposing players but also with his head coach, Steve Kerr.
Green cited an example of this while speaking out on his current issues with sports media star Stephen A. Smith.
Draymond Green Discusses Losing Steve Kerr’s Support
Green revealed a tough conversation he had with Kerr on his podcast, during which Kerr expressed frustration with him.
Green said “My head coach, Steve Kerr, came up to me and he said, man it’s becoming incredibly hard to support you publicly. And I said back to him, don’t. I’m fine. I don’t need you to support me publicly. I can handle them. When I said that to him, I could see the weight lifted off his shoulders.”
Draymond Green says Steve Kerr told him privately: “It’s become incredibly hard to support you publicly”
“My head coach, Steve Kerr, came up to me and he said, ‘Man, it’s become incredibly hard to support you publicly'”
“I said back to him, ‘Don’t. I’m fine. I don’t need you… pic.twitter.com/c3iF591gbX
— Arslan (@0xarslan) July 17, 2026
Green has endured multiple controversial incidents over the years. He was suspended indefinitely in 2023 after hitting center Jusuf Nurkić. Green ultimately missed 12 games. The Nurkić incident happened a month after Green was suspended for five games for putting Rudy Gobert in a headlock.
Green says he’s tried to take accountability for his actions that have angered Kerr, his teammates, and Golden State Warriors fans. Many fans believe his suspension during the 2016 NBA Finals may have cost the organization a championship.
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Green’s comments highlight the transparency Kerr has had with him over the years. In addition to his on-court behavior, Kerr and Green have had disagreements over Green’s play and role on the team. However, Kerr is always available to have those tough conversations with Green, which is a central point in Green’s current conflict with Smith.
The upcoming season is a crucial one for Kerr, Green, and the rest of the Warriors. There was a lot of speculation that Kerr would depart at the end of the most recent season, but he agreed to a new two-year contract extension, as the Warriors chase one final championship with the face of the franchise, Stephen Curry.
Curry and Green have publicly supported the Warriors’ pursuit of NBA icon LeBron James this summer, as the league continues to wait for James to choose his next team.
