“You became business partners with him, what a sellout” - NBA analyst criticizes Draymond Green for allowing LeBron James to "buy" his loyalty after calling Lakers forward a b***h
![It's Skip Bayless' turn to take another shot at Draymond Green. [Photo: New York Post]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/07/5fe1e-16585482415582-1920.jpg?w=500)
Draymond Green and LeBron James have a lot in common. One thing they share is having Skip Bayless as one of their biggest critics. While the LA Lakers superstar generally ignores the outspoken sports analyst, Green has been vicious with his replies.
Over the last few weeks, the Golden State Warriors forward has been taking shots at the Undisputed co-host and even accused Bayless of “attaching” himself to James to gain following and recognition.
On his podcast, Bayless came back with a volley of his own, criticizing Green for siding with James after once calling the Lakers forward a b***h.
“Once upon a time during Game 4 of the 2016 Finals, Draymond, you called LeBron on the court a b**ch to his face. You kicked him below the belt, you kicked several people below the belt, you obviously got suspended for Game 5 and the rest is NBA history.
“Soon after that season ended, it sure looked like you allowed LeBron to buy your loyalty, to buy you off. You became business partners with him. What a sellout!”
Here's the full Episode 27 of "The Skip Bayless Show" feat exactly what LeBron has meant to my career, my inside view of the great Barry Bonds and my anethesia-beating warrior "daughter" Hazel: sprtspod.fox/Ep27
Bayless was, of course, referring to Draymond Green’s suspension in Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals. The Warriors were leading the series 3-1 before Green accumulated enough technical fouls to get suspended.
Without their defensive lynchpin, the Bay Area team lost Game 5 to the LeBron James-led Cavs. With momentum on his side, “King James” managed to guide Cleveland to wins in the next two games to seal their first championship in over 50 years.
Throughout the series, James and Draymond Green were at loggerheads. Off the court, though, they’ve been longtime friends. The camaraderie between the two only blossomed when Draymond Green decided to join Klutch Sports, which is practically co-founded by James and Rich Paul.
Draymond Green is signing with Rich Paul because he’s been impressed with Klutch Sports and “what LeBron’s camp is doing as a whole,” per @ThompsonScribe https://t.co/qnTn4B6wIQ
Over the last few years, the charismatic Warriors forward has become very vocal in his support and admiration for James.
It’s not uncommon for NBA players to be rivals on the basketball court, but good friends off it. Michael Jordan had close relationships with Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Shaquille O’Neal and other stars away from the game. But that never prevented Jordan from going for the jugular whenever they met on court.
Skip Bayless defends his constant critiquing of LeBron James to Draymond Green
Skip Bayless isn’t likely to change his approach towards LeBron James despite Draymond Green’s pushback. The veteran sports analyst described James as "the most interesting man in sports" and said that no amount of backlash could make him stop talking about the Lakers forward.
"He is the most interesting man in sports. In sports history, the most interesting man is LeBron James!... Stuff happens to LeBron James, “sh*t happens to LeBron James. It’s just always something controversial swirls constantly around LeBron James…
"Something always happens during a LeBron game that transcends the basketball. Some controversy, some postgame backlash, some remark that he makes, some shots that he takes, some shots that somebody takes, I’ve never seen anything like it. Every game has a subplot of made-in-Hollywood drama, every single game. How can we not talk about it?"