Draymond Green blames suspension talk on low NBA ratings

After the incident, Edey said Green's ankle grab "wasn't a basketball play" and Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins expressed disappointment that the referees did not even review the play. 

On Tuesday, Green fired back at everyone who felt he warranted a suspension for tripping Edey. Green argued that if the play was indeed dirty, he'd have been hit with a flagrant 1 or flagrant 2 in real time due to his notorious reputation. 

"The ratings are low. We know the Draymond name sparks buzz," he said on his "The Draymond Green Show" podcast. "We know that name carries weight. We know that's going to get people riled up. The ratings are low so you want to sub in Draymond [expletive]."

The defensive ace proceeded to rip Jenkins for complaining to the referees and teaching his rookie bad habits. 

"Taylor Jenkins is a softie. It's game 11 of the season and you're crying to the media about a foul? Come on, bro," Green said. "And guess what you just taught your 7'3" rookie? How to be emotional and run to the media talking about a foul. We're big men. You don't run to the media talking about a foul. You're a big man."

Green felt Edey had exposed himself as vulnerable and soft, opening himself to be targeted by other big men in the league. 

"Y'all gotta stop breeding these soft dudes, man," Green added. "Stop turning these guys into snitches and soft. Because you are big men!"

Over the last two seasons, Green has been suspended on three separate occasions — for non-basketball plays involving Jusuf Nurkic (punch), Rudy Gobert (headlock) and Domantas Sabonis (stomp). He escaped a suspension for punching his former teammate, Jordan Poole. It shouldn't surprise anyone if the four-time NBA champion gets sent home again this season for an incident.