Kenyon Martin openly criticized the Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, calling him a “fake tough guy” while contrasting his calculated approach with the genuine physicality Martin experienced during his NBA career.
During his era, Martin faced opponents who earned respect through toughness and resilience. He highlighted the Davis Boys from Indiana, PJ Brown, Antonio Davis, and Zach Randolph as examples of players who thrived on physical contact and confrontation.
Draymond Green gets into it with a fan for calling him Angel Reese: “I love the disrespect”
For the 47-year-old Martin, toughness meant responding to real resistance. It was survival under the hard lights of early-2000s basketball.
He emphasized that these men commanded respect without theatrics, unlike the calculated methods Martin attributes to Green, who is only 12 years younger and made his NBA debut in 2012.
Martin questioned Green‘s reputation directly, arguing that the professional athlete only picks moments where he faces no real danger.
“Draymond ain’t do nothing to somebody who’s going to do something back,” Kenyon said, dismissing the forward’s tough-guy persona.
Green‘s style, however, contrasts with Martin‘s definition as the Warriors star functions as an emotional leader, defensive anchor, and relentless agitator.
But Martin believes his intimidation is strategic rather than based on authentic physical courage or confrontation.
The NBA has evolved since Martin‘s era. Rules, roles, and playing style have shifted. Green operates within this modern system, using emotion and disruption as weapons. Fans applaud his leadership, yet critics see much of his intensity as calculated performance.
Green confronts fan after New Orleans Pelicans game
Draymond Green nearly went chest-to-chest with a fan during the Warriors‘ 124-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, November 16.
The confrontation followed a foul on Pelicans forward Herb Jones during a Golden State possession as the fan, Sam Green, said he was taunting Draymond with chants referencing Angel Reese due to missed rebounds.
“He just kept calling me a woman,” Draymond later said. “It was a good joke at first but you can’t keep calling me a woman.
“I got four kids and one on the way. Just don’t be disrespectful.”
The fan stood near the baseline cheering, prompting Green to approach while players and officials began setting up for free throws on the other end until Courtney Kirkland, one of the referees, intervened.
“I got it,” Draymond continued. “I’ve heard him over and over and over again.
“You’ve handled it well. Don’t get yourself in no trouble. I’ll take care of it. Courtney was great.”
Sam Green said the professional athlete used profanity and threatened him if he continued the Angel Reese taunt as the fan remained in his seat after receiving a warning,
Head coach Steve Kerr commented that he could not provide extensive details but noted discussions between players and fans are allowed if they do not escalate. He added that security could have intervened sooner to prevent the incident.
Draymond has faced similar issues before. In 2022, he was fined $25,000 for directing obscene language toward a fan.
He criticized fans for facing minimal consequences while players risk fines for retaliating, highlighting a perceived imbalance in accountability.
