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The secrets of the NBA’s darkest side are out, and everyone is feeling the shadows. Following the FBI’s actions against Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier, the league is on notice. But the most interesting, or rather, the saddest part is that everyone is pointing out the authenticity. Whom to trust? Which player or coach, or official is not a part of the gambling trap? It’s difficult to understand. And for the likes of Draymond Green, who’ve unabashedly given their all to the league for years, are losing their patience, too. Now you see, the Golden State Warriors legend is back with his podcast, The Draymond Green Show. During the final minutes of the first episode, the 35-year-old addressed the ongoing controversy. “I think it’s complete bulls— that the whole world wants to act like all bad NBA players are just gambling on games,” he said. “Like, I wouldn’t be losing my f—ing mind on the court, going crazy about a call, if we were all just everybody always saying that’s just not me, right? Like, you see multiple guys going at it with refs about calls. Nobody’s doing all of that.” Green added, “Guys are really putting their lives into this s—. This s— really matters to us. We’re really trying to win these games. We’re really fighting for legacies. So I think it’s complete and utter bulls— how everybody just wants to act like, ‘Oh man, you see all these clips coming up. Look at this guy now. He missed shots. He’s point shaving'”. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Draymond Green also reminded everyone how brutally demanding the game truly is. Players pour their hearts into perfecting something that could never be flawless. Even the greatest made only 50% of their shots, proving how unforgiving the sport is. With elite defenses, unmatched skill, and raw athleticism surrounding every play, perfection became impossible. So, bad nights aren’t scandals; they are the price of chasing greatness in an unforgiving arena. Moreover, he pointed out, “So then you put up s— like guys missing shots like they should be investigated? Come on, man. Let’s not act like everybody in the NBA…there are bad apples in anything.” He further defended the NBA’s integrity with conviction. He admitted that every field, from business to sports, had its share of bad apples. Yet, he urged people to stop blaming the entire league. With firm respect for Adam Silver’s leadership, he emphasized that the NBA deeply valued fairness, discipline, and trust. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad “Because there’s a Fanatics Sportsbook, a DraftKings, a FanDuel sponsorship, that Adam just doesn’t care about players’ games? Stop the bulls—. Cut it out,” Green lashed out. “We watch these gambling videos every year. They’re on top of this”. Meanwhile, Draymond recalled that the league fined him for a lighthearted remark about a referee and betting lines. He explained how the league took immediate action, proving its vigilance against any gambling suspicion. With calm defiance, he dismissed the noise about a rigged NBA: “I got fined. So don’t give me the bulls— that the whole NBA is just rigged and everybody’s betting. Stop it.” Draymond Green poured his heart out defending the league, saying, “We put our f—ing heart and souls into this s— to try to be the last one standing.” He reminded everyone, again, that “there’s bad apples everywhere,” but that never defined the NBA. Calling gambling ties “partnerships, nothing more,” he praised Adam Silver’s leadership, affirming that greatness “hits tough times,” yet the league “has been incredible” and keeps growing stronger every season. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports And while critics stare at the former DPOY, they are pulling his teammate, Gary Payton II, into the betting scandal. To be fair, his name hasn’t been up on the feds’ list, not that we know of yet. However, given an interesting observation, things could turn murky; who knows? ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Draymond Green’s teammate, Gary Payton II, faces serious allegations Instagram user @mikedaddino__ stirred controversy after claiming he had “proof of another NBA player betting on games,” this time pointing at Warriors guard Gary Payton II. In a Warriors vs Wizards game from (maybe) last season, he detailed how the Warriors led by 12, covering a spread of minus 11.5, while Payton appeared “sweating it out” on the bench, allegedly mouthing the line as the final free throws decided the margin. As the Warriors pushed the lead to 14, the Wizards hit a buzzer-beating three, cutting it back within the spread. @mikedaddino__ zoomed in on Payton’s reaction, insisting, “You cannot tell me this guy did not have money on this game.” His post questioned the league’s silence, boldly demanding, “How is the NBA not looking into this man right now?” and ignited heated debate about betting behavior within the NBA spotlight. The storm in the NBA, however, refuses to calm. As Draymond Green’s fire lit up the truth, his words sliced through the noise with raw honesty. Yet as he stood tall for the league, new shadows soon followed his own team. Meanwhile, Gary Payton II found himself under the glare of suspicion. Consequently, the league now breathes heavy, caught between loyalty, legacy, and the lingering scent of doubt that refuses to fade.
