Draymond Green takes unnecessary jab at Charles Barkley’s Rockets career that’s historically inaccurate

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green appears to be planning a media career once his playing days are done, but he might have to be careful about which enemies he makes.

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The former Defensive Player of the Year filled in for Shaquille O’Neal on Wednesday’s edition of «Inside the NBA» and used the opportunity to take a jab at Charles Barkley, but a number of fans pushed back on Green’s shot at the former MVP.

Crossovers between Green and the «Inside the NBA» crew are nothing new, as the show has had the Warriors veteran on the panel plenty of times in recent years, with Golden State struggling to make deep playoff runs. 

Barkley is certainly used to a few jabs coming his way, but this one might not be totally accurate.

Here’s a look at what Green said about Barkley.

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Draymond Green takes jab at Charles Barkley

Barkley took the first shot at Green when the panel was discussing the Warriors’ future, with Barkley saying it’s «over» for Golden State in the Stephen Curry era.

«Listen, sports are for young people,» Barkley said. «You hope to have a great long career, but sports … nobody wins when they’re 37, 38.»

Green, who will be 37 at the end of next season, hit right back.

«I think the goal is to not look like you in the Houston Rockets uniform,» Green told Barkley during the segment. «That is ultimately the goal.»

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Things got a little tense on the ‘Inside the NBA set when Draymond took a shot at Chuck’s final years in Houston 😬 pic.twitter.com/g9xRH5H6qq

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 6, 2026

Barkley spent his final four seasons with the Rockets, exiting the NBA when he was 37, but his time in Houston alongside Hakeem Olajuwon wasn’t viewed as a failure by any means. While the Hall of Famer dealt with some injuries, he was absolutely productive for a player in his mid-30s playing next to other standouts.

It wasn’t enough to impress Green, however.

Here’s a look back at Barkley’s time with the Rockets.

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Charles Barkley Rockets career

Barkley remained a force on the boards during his time with the Rockets, averaging double-digit rebounds per game in each of his four seasons in Houston and earning an All-Star selection in year one.

The Rockets were generally successful with Barkley, reaching the Western Conference Finals in 1997 and finishing fourth in the West in 1999. Houston missed its opportunity to compete for a third title in the Olajuwon era in 1997, with many of its aging stars missing time. 

Green plays a much different style of basketball than Barkley did, but those numbers have the Warriors star beat in most categories. 

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