Draymond says Grizzlies-Warriors not a rivalry: 'Anybody can win in March'

Draymond Green isn't hearing any rivalry talk.

The Golden State Warriors veteran forward asserted after Thursday's 131-110 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies that the two teams aren't rivals because the Grizzlies haven't beaten the Warriors in a playoff series.

"One team has to win, and then another team has to win. That's what creates a rivalry," Green said, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

"Not because one team gets up for you and talk like they can beat you and then not. That doesn't create a rivalry. Rivalries are created by you win, I win. Clearly, we've won four times, and I think their organization has zero championships, so I can't consider that a rivalry."

The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 4-2 in a second-round series last May en route to their fourth championship since 2015. Memphis did beat Golden State in overtime in the 2021 play-in tournament, knocking the Warriors out of the postseason, but not in a full playoff series.

"Anybody can win in March," Green added. "What that mean? I have a hard time getting out of my bed in March. What's a game in March mean?"

Green and Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks got into a small scuffle during Thursday's game, though Green walked away, which he said afterward was to avoid getting "baited" into a technical foul.

The Warriors forward has feuded with Brooks since last year's playoff series, with Green most recently calling Brooks an "idiot" and a "clown" on his podcast earlier this week.

After the win, Brooks poked fun at Green's media career.

"Keep doing his podcast, keep blogging, keep doing his thing off the court," Brooks said on the TNT broadcast when asked what he told Green during the game. "It's cute."

He added that the Grizzlies aren't shying away from a rematch with the defending champions, according to Damichael Cole of The Commercial Appeal.

"We want to see them in the playoffs," Brooks said.