Stephen A. Smith Fires 'That Would Be You’ Shot At Draymond Green Over 182 Career Technical Fouls

Draymond Green responds to Stephen A. Smith after criticism of his disciplinary record and therapy.© NDTV GALLERY

Draymond Green has fired back at Stephen A. Smith after the ESPN commentator questioned whether the Golden State Warriors forward's repeated on-court incidents should be linked to his work in therapy. Green said therapy is an ongoing process and told Smith not to use his latest ejection as proof that it has failed. Smith pointed to Green's disciplinary history, arguing that the latest incident fits a pattern. Their exchange followed Green's ejection against the Phoenix Suns on November 2, when he received two technical fouls during a confrontation involving Suns guard Dillon Brooks. The comments have also brought Green's 2016 NBA Finals suspension back into focus.

Stephen A. Smith Points To Draymond Green's Technical-Foul Record

On The Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith said he had attended therapy himself and planned to return. He then questioned Green's record, pointing to three technical fouls in the Warriors forward's first six games of the 2026-27 season and 182 over his career.

“Nor are we the ones that have had 182 for our career. That would be you,” Smith said.

Smith also cited Green's postseason disciplinary record, putting his playoff technical-foul total at 37, while ESPN's figure puts the total at 36. He said Green had received six career suspensions, five from the NBA and one from the Warriors, including two in the playoffs.

Draymond Green Responds After Suns Ejection

Green was ejected early in the third quarter against Phoenix after receiving two technical fouls. The incident began when rookie Khaman Maluach pushed Green to the floor. Green got up, grabbed Maluach and threw him down. Brooks then approached Green, and the confrontation escalated. Both players received technical fouls, but Green was ejected after his second.

Smith also brought up Green's suspension during the 2016 NBA Finals, saying it had hurt Golden State's title chances. The NBA suspended Green for Game 5 after he reached the flagrant-foul point limit during the playoffs. It was not a suspension for accumulating technical fouls. Cleveland went on to win the series 4-3 after trailing 3-1.

Green has accepted responsibility for his role in that defeat. “We lost. I take that on the chin. I cost us a championship. I'm fine with that… I own up to my mistakes,” he said.

On The Draymond Green Show, Green responded directly to Smith: “It's always ongoing work, by the way, Stephen A. Don't do that. Maybe I go a little too far sometimes, but don't intertwine the two.”

Green says therapy remains ongoing work. Smith believes Green's disciplinary record deserves scrutiny. Their disagreement has put the Warriors forward's latest ejection and his history of on-court incidents back in the spotlight.