Warriors vet Draymond Green offers NBA Finals sore loser Victor Wembanyama a lesson in ethics
After the 2026 NBA Finals wrapped up with a Knicks-led win over the San Antonio Spurs, much of the talk shifted to evaluating Victor Wembanyama, who self-destructed in the postseason.
When the final buzzer rang in Game 5, the 7-foot-2 French phenom skipped the traditional handshake line and headed straight to the locker room.
It ended a tough Final from a public relations perspective.
San Antonio Spurs #1 player Victor Wembanyama watches the game against the New York Knicks during Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE via Getty Images) ((Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images))
Earlier in the series Wembanyama received criticism for a dangerously hard foul on Brunson and was later caught laughing at the camera towards Mitchell Robinson during a heated moment.
When the reality of the loss finally set in, Wembanyama chose not to face the Knicks on the court. His postgame comments did little to clarify the situation, as he largely sidestepped questions about withdrawing from the game.
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The decision opened the door to one of the NBA’s most ironic critics, infamous enforcer Draymond Green.
The same Draymond Green who spent much of his career blurring the lines between basketball and mixed martial arts is now teaching lessons in sportsmanship.
What’s surprising isn’t Green’s lack of self-awareness; he actually has something to offer young Wemby when it comes to proper behavior.
On the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” the Warriors veteran didn’t hold back when discussing Wembanyama’s decision to skip the handshake line.
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“Look at the killer’s face,” Green advised Wembanyama.
“You have to look at their faces. By the way, if you walk off the field and you don’t look at my face and I beat you, I actually know that I’ll have you forever because you can’t look at my face.”
Even though it’s coming from Green, he has a point.
Win or lose, part of being a professional is facing the outcome.
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts in front of Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter during Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) ((Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images))
Wembanyama quickly left the court, giving critics an easy target and letting the story be about his own temperament rather than the Knicks’ championship celebration.
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Wembanyama continues to be one of the league’s brightest young stars. For him, facing defeat is part of his job.
Thought to be the next face of the NBA, Wemby’s lack of maturity following a crushing defeat demoralized many fans who had begun to believe in his enthusiasm.
His appeal is now moot.
Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green and head coach Steve Kerr react during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga., on March 21, 2026. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
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