Draymond Green fires savage Charles Barkley dig on ESPN Tip-Off show

While discussing how difficult it becomes for players to remain effective late in their careers, Barkley reflected on the inevitable decline veteran stars eventually experience in professional sports, suggesting this could be the case for Green in recent years.

“It always ends. Sports are for young people. You hope to have a great and long career, but nobody wins when they’re 37 or 38,” the former NBA MVP stated.

Green quickly responded with a brutal dig that immediately caught attention across social media and among NBA fans following the exchange live.

“I think the goal is just to not look like you in a Houston Rockets uniform,” the forward replied.

Barkley spent the final four seasons of his career with Houston between 1996 and 2000, although he failed to win a championship despite teaming up with Hakeem Olajuwon during that period.

Charles Barkley’s numbers gradually declined in Houston

Barkley’s stats after joining the Rockets were not that bad, especially during the beginning of his spell alongside Olajuwon in Houston.

According to StatMuse, he averaged 19.2 points and 13.5 rebounds per game during his first season there.

He also averaged a double-double throughout all four seasons with the Rockets. However, his scoring numbers steadily declined toward the end of his NBA career.

During his final season in Houston, Barkley averaged 14.5 points per game before eventually retiring from professional basketball.