The NBA has managed to keep some of its character despite the many changes in officiating throughout the years. Part of its color has been the use of trash talk, that while different, is still somewhat prominent among some of the most competitive individuals in this game, especially some Warriors players.

As one of the cardinal, yet unspoken rules of trash talk is to never do it while on the bench, as Draymond Green could attest to, putting one of the best to ever do it to shame, as Paul Pierce dared to mettle in a duel between Green and then-Clippers forward Blake Griffin.

Draymond Green

Pierce, who was winding down his last season in the league, was sitting in the corner of the bench, cheered Griffin on as he was fouled by the smaller Green, who took offense to his words and unleashed one of the most savages responses to the future Hall of Famer.

“Chasing that farewell tour! They don't love you like that!” Green hollered to Pierce, who had announced his plans to retire at the end of the season, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Law Murray. “You can't get no farewell tour! You ain't got that type of love! You thought you was Kobe? You ain't Kobe.”

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
Former San Antonio Spurs players David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili look on during Tony Parker's retirement ceremony at the AT&T Center.
10 No. 1 draft picks picks who won an NBA title with their original teamsSpencer See ·
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia sits courtside against the Indiana Pacers at Footprint Center.
Suns rumors: Jake Fischer names 2 center options at No. 10Jackson Stone ·
Thunder news: OKC mayor crowns Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook
Thunder news: OKC mayor crowns Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Kevin Durant, Russell WestbrookJulian Ojeda ·
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) warms up before game seven of the second round against the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Josh Kroenke bizarrely brings up Nuggets-Nikola Jokic trade scenarioBenedetto Vitale ·
Former Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings smiles Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Tamika Catchings’ heartfelt message to Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton after NBA Finals lossRussell Steinberg ·
Portland Trail Blazers guard Matisse Thybulle (4) grabs a rebound during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Moda Center.
Former first-round pick opts in to $11.5M player option after Blazers’ Jrue Holiday tradeZachary Howell ·

His response garnered plenty of attention from the media, just as Kevin Durant's blatant reply to his former teammates Enes Kanter, who chose to butt-in from the bench as the Oklahoma City Thunder trailed the Warriors last season.

draymond green, kevin durant

“How many minutes did he play? Three minutes,” Durant told reporters after the game. “I'm trying to focus on whoever's on the court. He trying to talk to me from the sideline. But I'm sure he's going to put something on Twitter tonight.”

If there is a lesson to be learned here, is to let the players play and let them do the trash-talking, as sitting and talking could lead to a world of humiliation, regardless of status.