The Mad Dog finally got his muzzle.
ESPN's "First Take", like much of the network's programming nowadays, is a spectacle. Shows fuel the hot take machine with a cast of Stephen A. Smith and Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, to name a couple, adding logs to the fire one by one. It can be the site of numerous awkward diatribes and forced talking points-- anything to create engagement.
All this is to say, the show is a soap opera. And former NBA player JJ Redick wasn't having it on Wednesday morning.
The 15-year NBA veteran appeared on 'First Take' Wednesday and found himself in crossfire related to Warriors forward Draymond Green. Green was ejected from Game 1 of Golden State's series with Memphis after making contact with Brandon Clarke's face and yanking his jersey.
The future Hall-of-Famer made the most of his exit, raising his arms and dancing before leaving FedEx Forum. Memphis' fans were not pleased, sending him off to a chorus of boos.
In Game 2, Green was the victim of a nasty elbow to the face.
Blood pooled down his face, prompting the three-time champion to leave the floor for treatment. Grizzlies fans responded to Green's exit with boos and jeers. And Green responded to Memphis fans displeasure in the best way he could, flipping the home crowd off as he went to the locker room.
When queried by reporters about his gesture to the Memphis' faithful after Game 2, Green was adamant he made the right choice.
“Boo somebody who gets elbowed in the eye and is bleeding, and you should get flipped off,” Green said.
Russo took umbrage with Green's actions in Games 1 and 2, saying that he can't root for the Warriors great despite his sparkling basketball IQ, commitment to winning and defensive versatility; you know, the things that real basketball fans actually care about.
“He’s so hard to root for,” Russo commented.
Shut up and play. Will you please? America’s tired of Draymond Green. I deal with him constantly. Be quiet and play. We all know he has a great skill set for that team. I understand how good he is. I can’t root for him.”
Russo argued that Green doesn't represent the "real" NBA fans who pay thousands of dollars for playoff tickets. I must admit, coddling the egos of folks who can afford to get a pricey playoff ticket is an interesting position to take.
Nonetheless, Redick wasn't amused.
“People on Fox News talk about athletes that way.”
— The Recount (@therecount) May 4, 2022
— Former NBA player @jj_redick snaps at sportscaster Chris Russo after he says Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green should be quiet and play. pic.twitter.com/EgRqLHXEAt
The longtime NBA veteran, who also hosts his own podcast on the side, argued that Russo's comments were eerily reminiscent to comments made by Fox News host Laura Ingraham back in 2020. In that clip, Ingraham pushed NBA superstars — and human beings — Kevin Durant and LeBron James to "shut up and dribble."
Obviously issues that affect the marginalized and oppressed masses of people in our country and abroad don't apply to them. Right. What wonderful insight...
And Redick was quick to point out that similarity.
“That has the same sort of connotations as the ‘Shut up and dribble’ crowd has toward athletes,” Redick said. “I have a problem with that."
Green's polarization as an athlete is divided by generational gaps, Mad Dog, suggested. While younger fans find themselves represented in Green's approach to the game, Russo said older fans, the ones who watched "Wilt [Chamberlain] and Clyde [Frazier] and [Earl] 'The Pearl' [Monroe] can't stand Green."
Redick didn't back down, though, applauding Green for his accolades, including the fact that he hosts a popular podcast, The Draymond Green Show. Green also has a multiyear deal with Turner Sports.
After the spirited discussion, the Warriors star showed his support for Redick's comments on Twitter.
JJ sent the clown back to the Circus! https://t.co/VtTaPFkqYh
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) May 4, 2022
Redick held his own against Mad Dog. Will another round between the two be coming our way in the near future?
It remains to be seen now, but they square off again, the longtime NBA veteran will looks poised in the lions den, ready to take on his former NBA counterparts.
