When Skip Bayless departed from Fox, he asserted he would finally be free from the limitations of network television. In practice, however, his unfiltered persona has largely been characterized by discussing dating apps with his wife on his podcast and recycling outdated quotes from Draymond Green. Here at Awful Announcing, we’re not above revisiting old receipts, and Bayless is certainly no exception. In promoting his podcast, he implied he was calling out Green for something current — perhaps a recent comment from Green’s podcast with Baron Davis. But as it turns out, Bayless was referring to a quote from October concerning the Oklahoma City Thunder, not a new jab from Green.
Bayless took issue with Green’s remark that the Thunder is a team that “doesn’t strike fear” into anyone, while simultaneously praising them as the most underrated team in NBA history and boasting about their best regular season in NBA history. Green’s comments focused on the Thunder’s postgame rituals, particularly the large group interviews, which he believed lacked the seriousness necessary to intimidate opponents. “Seven guys in the interview,” Green pointed out, “There’s a certain seriousness it takes to win in this league. And there’s a certain fear you have to instill in the team in order to win. I just don’t know if they’re instilling that fear in teams with all the bromance and stuff after the game.”
In response, Bayless urged Green to get his “salt and pepper ready” because the Thunder are “soon going to make you eat every one of those words.” He stated during The Skip Bayless Show, “Every last word you uttered about them, you will eat. They’re going to remember what you said. I’m going to remember what you said because these Thunder are as real as you can get. This team is about to strike fear in your heart, Draymond Green, and give you heartburn all the way through the postseason.”
Bayless even dared Green to challenge him on this, quipping, “I don’t know, I guess Draymond is belly laughing at this monumental achievement by those unserious Oklahoma City Thunder.” He zeroed in on Green’s claim that no one fears Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, despite the fact that the Thunder’s star is a legitimate MVP contender. “I don’t know, nobody’s afraid of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? That’s what Draymond says,” Bayless asserted. “I don’t know why not. Maybe because he doesn’t talk trash, he doesn’t cheap-shot anybody the way Draymond does — the all-time dirtiest player in the history of the league. Is it because SGA is a really nice guy? Who, by the way, down the stretch of games is looking more and more like a cold-blooded assassin. Are you watching, Draymond?”
“Are you listening? Are you still laughing, Draymond?” Bayless continued. “This is all being accomplished while Chet Holmgren, one of the NBA’s most intimidating shot blockers, has missed 47 games this year. Without Chet, this is impossibly incredible. Wouldn’t you agree, Draymond? Oh, that’s right. You think Chet’s just another wimpy stiff, right? We’ll see.” He noted that Green should have respect for the statistically greatest defensive team in NBA history — a team that leads the NBA in steals, deflections, loose ball recoveries, and charges taken.
“Draymond Green,” he emphasized, “the Thunder lead the NBA in scoring off opponents’ turnovers, and, just as important, they allow the fewest points scored off their turnovers. Do the math… Is anyone out there comprehending what I’m telling you?” Certainly not Draymond. “Would you believe, Draymond Green, that the Oklahoma City Thunder are having the greatest season in NBA history?” Bayless proclaimed. “I mean, ever, ever, in history — the facts scream for themselves. I’m not making any of this up. I’m not exaggerating, embellishing, or engaging in one ounce of hyperbole. ‘Greatest ever.’ I am dropping truth bombs all over Draymond Green’s disrespect.”
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“Who knows? Maybe they’ll have to deal with the Warriors in the playoffs. Maybe they’ll have to deal with the Warriors in the first round. If that happens, Draymond’s teammates might privately tell him, ‘Why did you have to say that about the Thunder?’ Maybe, if we do see Thunder versus Warriors, deep down, Draymond Green will be scared to death.” If the Thunder and Warriors actually meet in the playoffs, it could be Bayless’ moment to shine in his post-Fox era, as nothing compares to witnessing Green attempting to evade responsibility for his statements — and Bayless will be prepared to serve them up with a fork and knife.
