Green-Barnes rivalry a fascinating subplot to Warriors-Kings series

An underrated subplot to this first-round series, the individual rivalry between Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes has amped up in the wake of Game 4 between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings.

A former Warrior who was drafted to the franchise and a member of the 2015 championship team, Barnes had the chance to sink Golden State with a wing three at the buzzer of a tightly contested Game 4. He ultimately missed, allowing the defending champions to tie the series at 2-2.

Draymond Green has opened up on his relationship, or lack thereof, with Harrison Barnes ahead of Game 5 between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings.

After the Warriors capitulated against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals, they sought to boost their roster in the best way possible by acquiring Kevin Durant in free agency. He was a direct upgrade from Barnes who was a casualty of the move, with Golden State allowing him to leave for the Dallas Mavericks in free agency.

Now, in the midst of an exhilarating first-round series, a year-old clip of Green discussing his relationship, or lack thereof, with Barnes has been doing the rounds following the forward’s miss at the end of Game 4.

"“Harrison Barnes, I think to this day don’t still like me for KD coming in…He took it very personally at me. So, for instance, this dude invites Steph, Klay, everybody to his wedding except me”, Green said."

Public interest in the relationship between the two has been sparked after Game 4, particularly after a clip of Green celebrating with Stephen Curry in the immediate aftermath. The former Defensive Player of the Year was seen and heard exclaiming, “we’ve seen that movie before.”

Many believe that was a direct jab at Barnes and his disappointing performances in the 2016 Finals. The 30-year-old was notably poor after the Warriors took a 3-1 lead, recording a combined 15 points on a paltry 5-for-32 shooting over the final three games.

Both players have had up-and-down series’ to date. Green made headlines during and after Game 2 after his altercation with Domantas Sabonis which caused him to miss Game 3 through suspension. Barnes has shot just 25% from deep through four games, including the critical miss at the end of Game 4.