Draymond Green pushed back against the growing narrative that the Houston Rockets are a “dirty” team following their contentious Wednesday night victory over the Golden State Warriors. The game, which saw Stephen Curry suffer an injury and Marcus Smart throw a punch at Charles Bassey, sparked intense debate among NBA fans. However, Green clarified his stance on the latest episode of *The Draymond Green Show*, stating, “I’m not going to sit here and call them a dirty team. They’re a physical team.”
Key Match Highlights & Tactical Analysis
While Green conceded that the Rockets engage in “bulls**t” plays, he identified a specific tactic that frustrates him more than outright aggression. “I think the thing that may irritate me the most is they play super physical and then they start flopping sometimes,” Green explained. This hybrid approach of high-contact defense followed by theatrical reactions to contact is what he believes drives his irritation, distinguishing their style from what he considers truly dirty play.
The tension between these two franchises is rooted in a decade of intense rivalry. The Warriors were a dominant force against the James Harden-era Rockets, eliminating them four times in five years, including two Western Conference finals matchups. That history continued into the 2025 season, with Golden State knocking Houston out of the first round, marking the third time in an 11-year stretch that the Warriors have advanced past their Texas rivals. Green’s comments serve as a reminder that while the physicality is intense, the competitive fire remains mutual.
Source: Yahoo Sports
