Draymond Green Reportedly Intentionally Tried to Anger Kevin Durant vs. Kings

Saturday's verbal altercation between Draymond Green and Kevin Durant during the Golden State Warriors' 109-106 overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings was apparently premeditated.

Chris Haynes of ESPN.com reported Tuesday that Green was attempting "to light a fire under" Durant. The Michigan State product was reportedly "trying to use reverse psychology" when he "intentionally and aggressively approached Durant with a bevy of choice words during a break."

It didn't exactly work. Durant finished with just 10 points on 2-of-10 shooting.

Green commented on the interaction Tuesday and hinted at his ulterior motive, per Haynes: "It was actually a tactic. But that's for us to know and for everyone else to figure out."

Haynes described the "verbal spat" as something that lasted about 30 seconds and included numerous "F--- you" bombs between the two players. Green even winked at some of his teammates after Durant became "enraged."

Durant was likely upset with his own play, too. His 10-point output was the lowest during his NBA career when he's played at least 40 minutes, according to ESPN Stats & Info (h/t Ethan Sherwood Strauss of ESPN.com).

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr—who was ejected from Saturday's game for angrily arguing loose ball fouls called against Kevon Looney—said Durant "looked tired," during the game, per Strauss.

This was not the first time Green and Durant exchanged words during a contest. The two argued on the court during Golden State's Jan. 6 overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, during which the Warriors blew a 24-point lead and what appeared to be a certain win.

Everything must be fine now. Haynes reported Durant and Green watched Super Bowl LI together Sunday.

Everything is fine in Oakland as far as the standings go as well. The two-time defending Western Conference champions have the NBA's best record at 43-8, and Green, Durant, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were all named to the All-Star team.

With the Warriors primed for a third straight trip to the NBA Finals, Green will surely be ready with his motivational tactics if any complacency sets in before the postseason.