Grizzlies star responds to Draymond Green’s repeated insults

A few days after the NBA season began, Draymond Green delivered one of those trademark moments that tend to leave viewers cringing. This time, his unwilling accomplice was the Spaniard Santi Aldama. During a game between the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies, Green turned the ball over at midcourt and Aldama recovered it. The Spaniard broke out on the fast break and, as he was about to reach the rim for a layup, Green grabbed him from behind around the neck and dragged him to the floor.

The officials assessed a Flagrant 1 foul as Aldama lay on the court in pain, while Green shouted “soft” at him. Aldama then missed both free throws, and the Warriors forward celebrated with exaggerated hops directly in front of his opponent – a clear act of provocation that the referees ignored.

But it did not end there. Shortly afterward, Green shared his take on the incident on his podcast, The Draymond Green Show, pulling no punches, as is his way. He repeatedly disrespected and insulted Aldama: “He’s a guy who’s always talking – every time we play them it’s the same. He likes to stir things up. I’m into that too, that’s fine, but what I don’t like is guys who talk like they want trouble and then you give them a little foul and they’re on the ground grabbing their neck or holding their head like they’re about to die.”

He went on to say he disliked those reactions, arguing that even if you get the call you want, it is like selling your soul for two free throws. According to Green, flopping and writhing on the floor makes you lose respect, insisting that once you act like an idiot, that is how everyone will see you. He added that Aldama went from plus-15 to plus-2 after “that idiot crap,” and defended mocking him after the missed free throws, finishing with: “You can’t fake it like that, hit the floor, and then miss both free throws, champ.”

More than a month and a half later, Aldama finally addressed the controversy in comments reported by EssentiallySports. “He loves doing podcasts. He’s probably just thinking about his life after basketball,” Aldama said. He acknowledged Green’s platform and Hall of Fame résumé, suggesting that growing the show is part of the motivation. Aldama also pointed out that only hearing one side of the story skews perception, adding that Green got the views he wanted. He revealed he was already dealing with a shoulder injury and that the play made it worse, stressing that the Flagrant 1 call was obvious and required no convincing. For Aldama, it was simply part of the game: he said he focuses on winning, getting back up after dirty plays, and helping his team.

He praised Green as a fierce competitor, saying their exchanges are fun and that the NBA’s 82-game grind needs energy and aggression. Aldama concluded that he enjoys facing Green and hopes their matchups continue – because the more they happen, the more entertaining they are to watch.

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