Austin Rivers Fires Back at Draymond Green Over Kerr Remarks

draymond green opened a fresh front in his long-running relationship with Steve Kerr when he said the coach may have hindered his career. Austin Rivers answered Tuesday with a blunt counterpunch that turned Green’s complaint into a debate over who benefited most from Golden State’s dynasty years.

Green’s Kerr Complaint

Green said on his podcast, “As much as Steve has done for me in basketball, part of me thinks he’s hindered me in my career and what I could have become.” He added, “When I think of who I was offensively as a player and who I became, I think part of that is due to him.”

He also said, “He hasn’t drawn up a play for me since 2017.” That complaint landed against the backdrop of a Warriors run that produced four NBA championships under Kerr, even as Green framed his own role and offensive ceiling as something the coach helped shape and restrict.

Austin Rivers Hits Back

Rivers pushed back on The Dan Patrick Show and did not stop at disagreement. “You were the luckiest basketball player I think I’ve ever seen,” he said, then pointed to Green being drafted to “a franchise with a Hall of Fame front office, Hall of Fame coach, the greatest shooter of all time and perhaps a top five player of all time.”

He kept going by adding, “Not to mention one of the most lethal scorers of all time and arguably a top 10 player of all time, Kevin Durant, the same guy you chased off because you talk too much.” Rivers then closed with, “Steve Kerr made your career. How dare you?”

Green’s Return Shot

Green answered by attacking Rivers’ own career path and the money tied to it. He mocked the contract Rivers signed with the Clippers in 2016 while Doc Rivers was running the team, said, “Everything isn’t something you should speak on,” and added, “Rivers received the biggest bailout in U.S. history prior to President Trump bailing out the airlines.”

Green also said, “I wish I could give my son $200 million if I was a coach,” and, “You were gone from your first team in two years while I’m still here.” The exchange left Green defending his place in Golden State’s story while Rivers cast him as a beneficiary of a loaded roster and a Hall of Fame coach who, as Green sees it, also held him back.