Video: Draymond Green Explains Why He Told Buddy Hield 'Wake the F--k Up' vs. Suns

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green thought teammate Buddy Hield needed some—let's call it vocal encouragement—in Saturday's 109-105 win over the Phoenix Suns.

Midway through the third quarter, the game broadcast caught Green telling Hield to "wake the f--k up or go sit the f--k down." Asked about the exchange, the four-time All-Star said he has always tried to tailor his leadership style to what he thinks is the best approach in a given situation. With Hield, he felt "we needed that in that moment."

Green added he has been on the receiving end for similar treatment, citing one specific interaction with Kyle Anderson in which Anderson called him out directly.

There's no question the 6'6" forward was instrumental in the four championships Golden State won with him on the roster. Beyond his defensive versatility, his penchant for challenging his teammates meant the Warriors never rested on their laurels when it mattered the most.

Green's style has backfired in two notable instances, though.

Kevin Durant made it clear he thought Green crossed a line during their argument on the court in a November 2018 game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Then there was his physical altercation with Jordan Poole during an October 2022 practice, a moment head coach Steve Kerr thought reverberated long after it happened.

On Saturday night, Hield shot 0-of-7 from the field in his 15 minutes off the bench, and the Warriors trailed 87-82 at the end of the third quarter. In terms of immediate returns, Green's challenge to Hield didn't seem to make a big difference.

But that might've ultimately helped to shake the Warriors out of their funk as they held the Suns to 18 points in the fourth quarter and earned the victory.