As Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green prepares to help Team USA to gold this summer in Rio, the enigmatic big man took time out of his busy schedule to discuss some recent on-court incidents.
Unless you were hiding under a rock back in June, you know very well that Green’s antics during the NBA Playoffs might have cost his team a second consecutive NBA title.
The All-Star, who has had a run in with the law since last taking to the court with the Warriors, was suspended for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers following an incident with LeBron James.
Green was assessed a flagrant foul after making contact with James’ groin in Game 4. Golden State would go on to lose the final three games of the series, ultimately blowing a 3-1 lead.
Now, over a month removed from the incident, Green opened up about his relationship with Cavaliers forward and reigning NBA Finals MVP LeBron James.
“A lot of people try to make it out to be, you know, with LeBron and I, that there’s this beef, and this, that and the other. It’s not.” Green said, via DraftKings. “Me and LeBron are friends. We’re business partners. Nonetheless, when I step on the court next year, I’m gonna go at him. When he steps on the court next year, he’s gonna go at me. That’s the game we play.”
Green went on to say that off-court relationships take a back seat when you are opposing a friend on the hardwood. This is something we see all the time on the NBA court. And in reality, those on the outside simply don’t comprehend this.
“What happens on the court also stays on the court. And at the end of the day, you’re competing for a championship. Things are going to happen because there’s a lot of emotion that go into that, there’s a lot of hard work,” Green continued. “And you’re going to do whatever you can to try to win. There isn’t this beef that people try to make it out to be. But if they want to make it out be … if that helps them sleep at night, then that’s OK.”
Though, Green has acknowledged that the incidents we saw during the playoffs cannot continue moving forward. No matter what Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wants us to believe, his actions last month might have cost Golden State the title.
One thing we do know is that this rift hasn’t marred Green’s relationship with James. Both are professionals and know full well what happens on the court stays on the court.