Harrison Barnes does not like Draymond Green — at least according to Green’s podcast, The Draymond Green Show.
It’s not quite beef, because Green said he has no bad blood with the Kings forward, but Barnes’ distaste for Green apparently goes back to 2016.
After the 2016 NBA Finals, which the Warriors lost in seven games,
“Harrison Barnes, I think to this day, still doesn’t like me for KD coming here,” Green said on his podcast. “The reality is, I didn’t tell them to trade you to bring KD in. No, the reality is: if KD did come in and you were still here, you would’ve had to come off the bench — it’s fucking Kevin Durant. I didn’t tell them to trade you. But he took it very personally because of the story that came out that I cried to KD in the car or whatever.”
Green is referring to the likely embellished story of Green talking with Durant right after losing the Finals last year. Shortly after Durant announced his signing with the Warriors, Barnes departed as a free agent to the Dallas Mavericks.
Green added that Barnes excluded him from his wedding, instead inviting former teammates Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
“I didn’t take it personally,” Green said. “It is what it is. I thought it was funnier than anything.”
With Durant, the Warriors won two NBA Finals. Barnes, meanwhile has signed two huge contracts and has pushed his career earnings to over $160 million. Now, he’s a seasoned veteran on the upstart Kings.
History from the 2016 Finals seemed to repeat itself during Sunday’s pivotal Game 4 Warriors win over the Kings. In the waning seconds, Barnes missed what would have been a game-winning 3-pointer. Seven years ago, Barnes shot 9-for-29 from 3 in the Finals even as Cleveland dared him to shoot by leaving him open on the perimeter.
Game 5 of the first round matchup between Barnes’ Kings and the Green’s Warriors tips off Wednesday t 7 p.m. in the Golden 1 Center.
