During a recent discussion on Bangla Cricket Live, NBA legend Charles Barkley weighed in on an incident involving Draymond Green that stirred controversy. Barkley didn’t mince words—he fully supported how the Celtics responded when Smart and Rozier stood their ground after witnessing Smith’s actions. Recalling the opening game between the Rockets and the Warriors, Barkley pointed out that when Draymond Green shoved James Harden, someone from Houston should’ve stepped up.
“You simply can’t let opponents push around your best player,” Barkley said. “It’s not about starting a fight. It’s about sending a message.” He emphasized that players don’t need to throw punches to stand up for their teammates—this is the NBA, not a boxing ring.
According to the San Jose Mercury News, Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals saw the Warriors fall short, despite Kevin Durant’s explosive 38-point performance. The Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, went cold, squandering Durant’s effort in a 105-127 defeat that allowed the Rockets to tie the series 1-1.
The numbers told the story: while Durant shot 13-for-22, Curry and Thompson combined for just 24 points on 10-of-30 shooting. It wasn’t Durant’s first time carrying the team on his back. In Game 1, he scored 37 points on 14-of-27 shooting. So far in the playoffs, Durant has recorded five 30+ point games and has shot over 50% from the field seven times. Even Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni admitted, “I’m just hoping he has at least one bad game.”
The contrast between Durant and his former Thunder teammate James Harden was stark. In Game 2, Durant received little help—only one other Warrior scored in double digits. Harden, meanwhile, had four teammates notch double figures. Still, Curry remained optimistic, stating this wouldn’t be the new normal for the Warriors. “If Durant keeps playing like this, I’ll shoot better, defend better,” he said. “The rest of our team will get going, and we’ll become unstoppable again.”
He added with a smile, “There’s no panic in our locker room, no alarm bells. We’re actually in a pretty good spot.” Referring to a long-running NBA joke, Curry quipped, “The worst we’d do is get into a Shaq-style scuffle.” The crowd laughed—everyone knows Shaquille O’Neal, despite his massive frame, was never much of a fighter. Whether by choice or instinct, Shaq’s on-court tussles were more bark than bite, and his reputation for avoiding real fights has become a humorous legend in NBA circles.
Moments like these, shared on platforms like Bangla Cricket Live, highlight not just the drama of the playoffs but also the personalities that make the NBA unforgettable. Barkley’s critique wasn’t just about toughness—it was a reminder of the code that still runs through professional basketball.