Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green highlighted the subdued atmosphere at the New Orleans Pelicans' arena after his team's 124-106 victory on Sunday. He also confronted a courtside fan for repeated taunts during the game. Green's remarks echoed recent criticisms from former Pelicans players about the team's attendance.
In the Golden State Warriors' 124-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday evening, forward Draymond Green drew attention both on and off the court. After the game, Green described the home crowd as quiet, suggesting the NBA take a closer look at the situation.
"Quieting the home crowd is always fun," Green said. "This crowd wasn't too loud to begin with, so yeah." When asked about playing in a half-empty arena with teammate Stephen Curry, he added, "Yeah [laughs] you know, the Steph Curry show. It usually travels on the road, but hey, this place is. Whew, it's tough in here. [Starts smiling] tough. Very tough in here. Might want to take a look!"
Green emphasized the impact of low attendance: "It definitely impacts it. You know, you want to go in full arenas. [Smiles again] it also helps the entire league out, so [the league] might want to take a look! It's interesting. Might need to take a look."
During the second quarter, with 2:02 remaining, Green approached a courtside fan who repeatedly chanted "Angel Reese" at him, referencing the WNBA star amid Green's rebounding without many shots. "He just kept calling me a woman," Green said postgame. "It was a good joke at first but you can’t keep calling me a woman. I got four kids, one on the way; you can’t keep calling me a woman. He got quiet, though. So, it was fine."
The fan, 35-year-old Sam Green of New Orleans, told the Associated Press he used the chant due to Green's performance. Warriors coach Steve Kerr supported Green's response: "As long as it doesn’t escalate, it’s fine to go over and have a discussion. So, I had no problem with it."
Green's comments follow similar sentiments from former Pelicans players. DeMarcus Cousins, who played for New Orleans from 2016-18, suggested relocation on the "Road Trippin'" podcast: "I think it was time five or six years ago... you go to the games, it's about 36 people there. Courtside's $25. It's not really much going. There's not much success happening... It's time."
Kendrick Perkins, another ex-Pelicans player, noted the city's focus on the NFL's New Orleans Saints: "They are always going to be second to the New Orleans Saints. That city is all about the New Orleans Saints. They don't give a d--- about the Pelicans. You have to f----- win in order to fill seats up." He also referenced Zion Williamson's tenure as a disappointment.
Pelicans owner Gayle Benson recently affirmed the team will remain in New Orleans and she has no plans to sell.