Skip Bayless Calls Draymond Green 'NBA's Dirtiest Player'

Analyst doubles down on criticism of Warriors star's physical playing style amid ongoing controversies.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Outspoken sports commentator Skip Bayless has again targeted Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, labeling him as "by far the dirtiest player in NBA history" and highlighting Green's history of controversial on-court incidents and physical play.

Why it matters

Bayless's harsh critique underscores the ongoing debate around Green's intense and sometimes questionable tactics, which have drawn disciplinary action and criticism from analysts over the years, even as his contributions have been crucial to the Warriors' success.

The details

Bayless made the comments during an appearance on Green's new podcast, where he cited several high-profile incidents, including Green's ejection and suspension for stepping on Domantas Sabonis in the 2023 playoffs, his Flagrant 1 foul and fine for kicking Steven Adams in the 2016 Western Conference Finals, and his infamous swing that hit LeBron James in the 2016 NBA Finals, which resulted in a suspension. These incidents have contributed to Green accumulating over $1 million in fines throughout his career.

  • In the 2023 playoffs, Green was ejected and later suspended after stepping on Domantas Sabonis.
  • During the 2016 Western Conference Finals Game 3, Green drew a Flagrant 1 foul and a fine for kicking Steven Adams in the groin.
  • In the 2018 postseason, Green received a technical foul for contact with James Harden's throat during a game against the Houston Rockets.
  • In 2023, a significant blow to Jusuf Nurkić's head resulted in an indefinite suspension for Green.
  • In Game 4 of the 2016 NBA Finals, Green's infamous swing that hit LeBron James resulted in a suspension that shifted the momentum of the series.

The players

Draymond Green

A 14-year NBA veteran and four-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, known for his intense and physical playing style that has drawn criticism and disciplinary action throughout his career.

Skip Bayless

A prominent sports commentator and analyst known for his outspoken and often controversial opinions, who has repeatedly targeted Draymond Green and his playing style.

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What they’re saying

“You battle so tenaciously that you push it right to the edge, and then every once in a while you go completely over the edge trying to get an edge. You have a repertoire of little cheap shots that back in the day, in the 70s and 80s, would have all been considered dirty.”

— Skip Bayless (The Draymond Green Show)

What’s next

The debate about whether Green's tactics are part of a competitive edge or cross into unsportsmanlike conduct remains a prominent topic in the NBA community, and how he manages this balance could define his long-term legacy in the league.

The takeaway

Draymond Green's intense and physical playing style, which has contributed to the Warriors' success but also drawn significant criticism and disciplinary action, continues to be a polarizing topic in the NBA, highlighting the tension between tough basketball and rules enforcement.