For as long as the NBA has existed, certain personal rivalries have gone beyond simply competitive tension and the ongoing conflict between Draymond Green and Kenyon Martin is a perfect example of that boundary being crossed.
Over the past few weeks, the two have mocked and discredited each other's careers, with "K-Mart" even assembling a list of forwards to argue that Dray has only overachieved because he played alongside more talented teammates. In response, Jeff Teague has stepped in to defend Green, emphasizing that the former Defensive Player of the Year built his entire legacy not by dominating the stat sheet but by constantly sacrificing for the greater good of the team.
When fans look back at the Warriors ' dynasty on paper, they see Andre Iguodala earning the Finals MVP award in 2015, Kevin Durant claiming the award in the following two triumphant campaigns and finally Stephen Curry securing the Finals MVP award in 2022. Naturally, given the lack of individual accolades, it appears as if Green secured four championships in his resume simply because he existed on the Warriors' roster during those years, as clearly, the four-time All-Star wasn't a driving force.
However, that narrative begins to fall apart the moment one revisits the Warriors' collapse in Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals, when Green's suspension became the turning point that swung the series in the Cavs ' favor. Then, if Green holds no great weight in the Warriors team, why is he so unapologetically bashed for leaving the team stranded by picking up suspensions due to his aggression?
Those reactions alone reveal how indispensable he has always been, regardless of whether his leadership is visible on the box sheet or not.
This is precisely what Teague highlighted - that Draymond's true value is not in scoring game-high points or registering triple-doubles but by bringing accountability into the locker room. Thus, the Warriors' identity for the better part of the last decade has only come through Green being its emotional leader and defensive anchor.
"I don't see Draymond Green as an individual player; I look at him as the ultimate team player. I ain't looking for his stats to be crazy, but as far as winning, you know what he brings to the table. So, all those dudes, their stats might be better, but they might not bring nothing that he brings to the table. They probably not the best leader," Teague said on his show. "They probably not work as hard, probably not sacrificing like he do."
Even now, when in his Year 14, Green remains vital to Golden State's aspirations.
His on-court production may no longer match the standards of his prime (averaging 8.1 points and 5.8 assists in the 2025-26 season), but his voice and leadership keep the team grounded. Additionally, he continues to fill gaps on both ends of the floor, willingly embracing the unglamorous responsibilities that others often avoid, even if doing so risks his reputation or invites criticism.
Perhaps this is why Teague and many other former players turned analysts, except Martin, who understands the nuances of winning basketball, still hold Green in such high regard.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
