The NBA tea apparently is hot at the highest level.
During Thursday’s installment of “First Take,” ESPN analyst Jay Williams claimed he received texts from “high-level people” in the NBA that said they think the legacy of the Warriors’ four-time champion guard, Steph Curry, is being hurt by teammate Draymond Green — after Green was ejected less than four minutes into the Warriors’ win against the Magic on Wednesday.
“I’m getting texts from people that I really value their decision, high-level people, and what these texts are reading is, ‘Well, how about the leadership of Steph Curry:’ That’s where these conversations are going,” Williams said.
That’s when “First Take” host Molly Qerim asked, “They’re calling Steph out?” to which Williams replied, “Yes, right, for him not controlling Draymond.
“So in my brain, the way I process that, because I know Steph, I’ve spent time around Steph. Because he’s one of the most competitive dudes you’ll ever meet — Draymond Green is diminishing the ultimate legacy of how people are looking at the leadership of Stephen Curry. That’s what’s happening right now.”
Curry was standing next to Green when the latter was yelling Wednesday at referee Ray Acosta, who hit him with two technicals, which resulted in an automatic ejection for the veteran center.
Curry didn’t intervene and appeared emotional while standing on the court.
At one point, he pulled his jersey over his face and wiped his eyes.
“I disagree with them [the people questioning Curry’s leadership] let me state that, because I know him, I know how things have been addressed multiple times,” Williams continued. “A lot of people aren’t familiar with things that are happening behind closed doors … Even if it is a smaller niche of people, these are high-level people now that are starting to look at it that way. By the way, that to me, is on Draymond because Steph is taking the high road… that’s the way Steph deals with it.”
Taking to his Instagram after Thursday’s “First Take,” Williams claimed a video of his analysis “got clipped off,” which made it seem like he agreed with those who think Green is hurting Curry’s legacy.
“If the clip had continued, which it did not … what I said was that I do not believe that to be the case,” Williams said. “I know who Steph is and I know how he operates and it doesn’t do him any good speaking publicly when you hear about all the conversations they’re having internally.
“But once again, the clip makes it sound as if I’m the one who believes his legacy is being diminished when inevitably I said I’m getting texts from people that are saying that, when I do not believe that. So, we’re just clarifying and clearing things up … I wanted to dispel that, so let’s just set things straight for what they are.”
Green lost his cool after Acosta called a foul on Warriors swingman Andrew Wiggins — and Magic forward Paolo Banchero got the and-1 to tie the game at 6-6.
Crew chief Mitchell Ervin called it a “prolonged diatribe” with “egregious profane language” in the pool report, according to The Athletic.
Green, who did not speak to reporters after the game, was seen hugging Curry in the locker room after a 101-93 win against the Magic at Orlando’s Kia Center.
“We don’t want to give ourselves self-inflicted wounds,” Curry said. “We need him ‘so whatever it takes to keep him on the floor and be available.”
Green later explained on his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show,” that he would’ve done things differently.
“It just can’t happen. I said what I said,” Green said. “I deserved to be kicked out at that point. Kind of wish I would have turned my body and angled it and gone to the bench. But yeah, it just can’t happen.”
ESPN’s Tim Legler, who also appeared on “First Take,” explained that Green was being selfish to his teammates by getting ejected.
The Warriors were on the second night of a back-to-back — after a 113-92 win over the Heat on the road Tuesday — and they’re fighting for a spot in the play-in tournament.
The Warriors (38-34), currently in the 10th spot in the Western Conference, were also without forward Jonathan Kuminga due to left knee soreness.
Green also missed 16 games this season due to an indefinite suspension by the NBA for hitting Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkic in the face on Dec. 12.
Although Curry and the shorthanded Warriors found a way to beat the Magic on the road, they will need Green to clinch a playoff spot.
The Warriors continue their road trip in Charlotte on Friday.
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