SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 02: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors stands on the court during the second half of their game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Chase Center on March 02, 2026 in San Francisco, California. Getty

Draymond Green’s criticism of Udonis Haslem didn’t go unanswered.

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Hours after the Golden State Warriors star questioned Haslem’s leadership while discussing the recent altercation between former Miami Heat teammates Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, Haslem fired back Sunday with a lengthy response on X, accusing Green of drawing a false comparison to the infamous Jordan Poole incident that fractured the Warriors’ locker room in 2022.

“I see some things just don’t change,” Haslem wrote. “You was on sucka shit four years ago when you swung on Jordan Poole and you on sucka shit now.”

Green reignited the years-old controversy during the latest episode of his Draymond Green Show podcast, saying Haslem’s public criticism after Green punched Poole during a Warriors practice had stayed with him.

“I remember when I got into it with Poole,” Green said. “I remember one person when the Jordan Poole incident happened with me who was really, really outspoken about it and it really bothered me, was Udonis Haslem.”

Green then questioned why Haslem had not publicly directed similar criticism toward Adebayo after reports surfaced that the Heat captain confronted Tyler Herro during NBA Summer League following Herro’s social media comments after being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.

“So, when I first saw this, I was like, ‘Damn. This is two guys Udonis Haslem raised,’” Green said. “If you raised this young guy in the light of what you was saying about me, and now he punches this other young guy that y’all kind of co-raised, are you going to have that same energy?”

Haslem’s answer left little doubt.

Haslem Says Jordan Poole Incident Was Different

Haslem rejected Green’s comparison, arguing the Warriors star was an established veteran and multiple-time NBA champion when he punched a much younger teammate.

“If you think your big 32 year old, 3 or 4 rings at the time having ass swinging on a 23 year old Jordan Poole at the time is the same then you are even more delusional than I thought.”

Haslem also defended Adebayo, pointing to the Heat center’s age and experience while insisting he exercised restraint.

“First of all Bam is 28. Tyler is 26. Neither one of them got it all figured out yet.”

“Anyone who knows Bam knows he’s strong as baby bear. If he would’ve unloaded on Tyler 100% it’s over.”

He then contrasted that with Green’s punch on Poole.

“You fired off on that young boy like it was a club punch and you never met him before in your life.”

The Poole incident became one of the defining moments of the Warriors’ 2022-23 season after video of the practice altercation leaked publicly. Green stepped away from the team for several days before returning, while Poole remained with Golden State for one more season before eventually being traded.

Haslem Defends Heat Leadership

Green also referenced Haslem’s past confrontation with Jimmy Butler, suggesting the former Heat captain should hold Adebayo to the same standard.

Haslem responded that he had no issue confronting Butler when necessary.

“Yeah I did go at Jimmy. You damn right.”

He added that Butler’s previous conflicts with coaches and teammates before arriving in Miami would never be tolerated inside the Heat organization.

“The shit you pull in Golden State and that shit he pulled in Chicago talking crazy to Hoiberg and disrespecting teammates in practice in Minnesota ain’t gon fly in the 305.”

Haslem said protecting Erik Spoelstra and maintaining the standards established by Heat legends such as Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway and Glen Rice always came before protecting any individual player.

“Before I let one player disrespect Spo in front of the squad, cut his legs out and disrupt what 15 other guys tryin to get accomplished, I’ll kick his ass.”

Haslem concluded by warning Green against bringing him into future debates.

“Ion really vibe you and I think you know that so unless it’s me on Prime talking hoops I won’t mention you at all,” Haslem wrote.

“You brought me into this and I am retired and out the way. I suggest you keep it pushing cause I ain’t giving out no more hall passes bra!”

@Money23Green I see some things just don’t change. lol. You was on sucka shit four years ago when you swung on Jordan Poole and you on sucka shit now. I usually don’t engage but since you went so far left to get my attention here it is!!!

If you think your big 32 year old, 3 or…

— Udonis Haslem (@ThisIsUD) July 13, 2026

Green’s original comments were intended to question Haslem’s leadership consistency following the reported Adebayo-Herro incident. Instead, they reignited discussion of one of the most scrutinized moments of Green’s career and prompted a forceful public rebuttal from one of the NBA’s most respected veteran leaders.

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David Ornstein: Aston Villa set to hijack move for 20-year-old midfielder

Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa looks a sharp move before Champions League return

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Aston Villa are moving quickly, and for once the logic is obvious. According to David Ornstein for The Athletic, Villa are “in the process of finalising a move to sign midfielder Johan Manzambi from Freiburg”. If it gets done, this is the sort of transfer that tells you a club know exactly where they are, and what they need next.

Manzambi is 20, versatile, productive and already battle-tested. He “looked on course to join Newcastle United after a club-to-club agreement was reached”, yet the key detail was always the player’s choice. “That enabled Villa to step up their existing interest”, and Villa have done exactly that after the damaging loss of Amadou Onana to a knee ligament injury.

There is no mystery here. Villa need energy, mobility and technical flexibility in midfield before a season that includes Champions League football. Manzambi ticks those boxes. He “can operate in multiple positions and his arrival would boost Villa before their return to Champions League football next season”. At 20, with room to grow and enough evidence already on the board, he looks like the right profile at the right time.

Why Aston Villa moved decisively

Plenty of clubs like talented young midfielders. Fewer act with conviction when the window turns complicated. Newcastle had money and momentum, but the article makes clear “the finances have never been an issue for Newcastle” and still that was not enough. Villa had the more compelling pitch, and crucially, the player reportedly “favours a move to Villa Park”.

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That matters. Transfers are often dressed up as auctions, but serious players usually choose pathway over noise. Villa can offer elite competition, immediate need and a squad where Manzambi’s skill set makes sense. Newcastle “had never been fully convinced he wanted to join”, which usually means one thing, they were chasing a player whose mind was drifting elsewhere.

Johan Manzambi numbers suggest substance

The output is strong. Manzambi has made 58 senior appearances for Freiburg, with eight goals and 11 assists. In 2025-26 alone, he played 47 times, posting seven goals and nine assists as Freiburg finished seventh in the Bundesliga and reached the Europa League final.

He also produced on a bigger stage. The report states that Manzambi “excelled against Villa in May’s Europa League final” and then impressed for Switzerland during their run to the World Cup quarter-finals. Tournament football can distort judgement, but it can also confirm temperament. He scored in a 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina and again in a 2-1 victory over Canada. Those are useful signs, not empty headlines.

Newcastle blow, Villa opportunity

From Newcastle’s side, this is awkward. They pushed, they travelled, they talked, and they still look set to miss out. The reason is straightforward. “But Newcastle cannot offer Champions League football, or European football of any capacity, and that left them vulnerable again in these talks.” That is blunt, and accurate.

For Villa, this is less about beating a rival and more about solving a problem with a high-upside player. If the deal is completed, they will have added quality, depth and tactical range in one move. There is risk because there always is with a 20-year-old stepping up. But this looks measured, not speculative.

Our View

For Aston Villa fans, this is exactly the kind of report that gets people excited, and rightly so. We are not talking about a vanity signing or a name built on hype alone. We are talking about a young midfielder who has already performed in the Bundesliga, made a real impact in Europe and shown he can deliver in high-pressure matches.

The biggest part of this is timing. Losing Onana to a serious injury could have left a hole in the squad and a scramble in the market. Instead, Villa appear to have reacted fast and with purpose. That is what ambitious clubs do. If Manzambi really does “favours a move to Villa Park”, then that says plenty about where Villa stand now in the game.

Supporters should be excited by the versatility too. Modern squads need players who can solve multiple problems across a long season, especially with Champions League fixtures coming. Manzambi sounds like one of those players, someone who can contribute in different midfield roles and still offer goals and assists.

Most of all, this feels like Villa acting from a position of strength. We are back in the Champions League, we are attracting top young talent and we are moving ahead of direct competition. If this goes through, it feels like another sign that the club are building for more than one good season. That is the real reason fans will be buzzing.

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