If you talk about Draymond Green publicly, just know that there's a good chance he will be listening.
And more than likely responding.
Chris "Mad Dog" Russo found that out this week after his comments on ESPN's "First Take" went viral. Russo told Green to "shut up and play" following Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals where Green flipped off the Memphis Grizzlies fans in attendance on his way to the locker room after taking an elbow to the face.
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On the latest episode of "The Draymond Green Show," the Warriors star went in on Russo for his controversial comments.
"I'm not really sure where this 'Mad Dog' really came from," Green said. "I really noticed him over the course of the last couple months, going up and screaming at the top of his lungs when he's sitting next to [Stephen A. Smith]."
Former NBA All-Star JJ Redick was on the show alongside Russo and immediately countered with a passionate argument in defense of Green. Redick claimed that Russo's comments had racial undertones and Green agrees.
"[Wednesday] he goes on TV and says 'America is tired of Draymond Green.'" Green added. "Not sure what gives him the right to speak for America ... he sits in on Stephen A.'s show and screams. I'm not sure who he's become in sports or in media to say how America feels and what gives him that right. But we're not shocked that he would think that he has to right to speak for America. He then proceeds to play 'shut up and play.' I'm not one to really pull the race card very often because I think we all know the role that race plays in the world that we live in.
"So I'm not really one to pull the race card very often but that definitely had a very racist connotation. A very racist undertone. Even beyond it having the racist undertone, we don't need to go any further than 'who are you?' Who are you to say ... what have you done in your life to say 'America is tired of him, shut up and play.' Shut up and play? As I said on my Instagram caption the other day, those 'shut up and dribble,' 'shut up and play' days are long gone, we don't listen to that anymore, we don't want to hear it anymore. It has no place here nor will it be tolerated."
Both Green and Redick are two prominent current and former players who have established themselves as members of the media because of their large podcast platforms and on-air appearances for networks such as TNT and ESPN. A new age of sports media is upon us, and Green is helping to lead the way.
"You will no longer be allowed to sit there and say what you want, you will no longer be allowed to put our these false narratives, you will no longer be allowed to not know what you're talking about and we're going to listen to you," Green said. "Those days are long gone. You know why? Because we have guys like JJ Redick who's done it, who speaks it, who knows how to speak on any different topic, who's not afraid to shut an idiot up. When I say 'sincerely yours, the new media,' you will be held accountable and you will have to know what you're talking about in order to speak on these sports."
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Green vehemently stressed the importance of accountability, something he wants to see more of in the industry. From here on out, whatever Russo or any analyst says, you better believe that Green will be watching, listening and ready to respond at a moment's notice.
"So 'Mad Dog' go thank the good lord that I didn't want your job," Green added. "You can have that. But just know, you will be held accountable. I will be watching you and embarrassing you so make sure when you go up there screaming and yelling and talking all that nonsense out the side of your neck. Oh now buddy you will be held accountable. You will. Believe that. I'm holding everything you said accountable. The days of the media holding players accountable and you no longer being held accountable are over. We not living with that no more.
"Sincerely yours, the new media."