Draymond Green was not happy with NBA fans, considering the outpour of celebration for Russell Westbrook’s career, despite the years of sledging.
Westbrook announced his retirement on Wednesday after 18 NBA seasons, ending a stellar NBA career that included an MVP award, nine All-Star selections and an all-time record 209 triple-doubles.
But Green was frustrated by the reaction from fans that followed the announcement, and certainly didn’t hold back about it on his podcast.
“Basketball fans, y’all suck,” Green said. “Basketball fans suck. And by the way, I am a basketball fan, so you can throw me in that category too. But basketball fans suck.”
“Because for the last 8 to 10 years, all this guy has heard is how bad he sucks, how he don’t shoot it well, how he stat pads, and how he messes up teams.”
“Make no mistake about it. “Westbrick,” and all the things y’all said about him. And the moment he steps aside, ‘oh man, y’all did Russ wrong. Can’t tell me he couldn’t be on a team. Wow, how he played the game. Gonna miss him.’ All these great, beautiful things.”
“Why we can’t feel that when you gone? It’s like when somebody die. Everybody’s like, ‘Oh man, best dude ever, best woman ever, would take the shirt off their back.’ Everybody got all these great things to say. But when that person was living, you don’t show that love.”
“Why is it that Russell Westbrook has to announce his retirement, unexpectedly, to finally see the love that he deserves? Why is that?”
Draymond may have a point.
He added that he is happy for Russ and that he ended things on his own terms, despite having active offers from teams.
“I’m also happy he retired. The reason I’m happy he retired is because everybody’s going to play on his name. ‘Oh man, he can’t get a contract, no team wants him.’”
“You get later in your career in this league and it ain’t nice. It ain’t nice to you. And I’m happy to see him walk out under his own will.” The way things went down with Chris Paul, that should never happen to a legend. And you can start to see the little inklings of, ‘Oh man, who’s going to sign Russ? Why is he not signed yet? This, that, and the other.’”
“And Russ said, ‘Nope. I’m out of here. I’m done. I’m gone. That’s it.’ And I’m so happy for him and happy he did that.”
READ MORE: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown Headline Loaded NBA Schedule