It was back in the 2016 NBA Finals that Golden State Warriors star forward Draymond Green was suspended for taking a swipe at then-Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James’ groin.
An argument could be made that said move cost Golden State an opportunity to repeat as champions. The team ended up losing Game 5 at home and blowing a 3-1 series lead. It was also the continuation of a huge on-court rivalry between Green and James.
Fast forward seven years, and the two are going up against one another in the postseason again. However, things have changed big time for the two future Hall of Famers.
James is now suiting up for the Los Angeles Lakers and has his team with a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Semifinals over Green’s Warriors. As for Draymond, his future in Northern California remains uncertain after some on-court antics earlier in the playoffs.
Off the court, Green and James have turned into really good friends. Their families have taken vacations together. They have hung out at weddings while their relationship grows.
For Green, none of that matters once he steps in the basketball court.
“None of that s*** matters in the playoffs, personal relationships are personal relationships. But you’re part of a team and all fighting for one common goal. If you’re in the way of that, you’re in the way of that. All that goes to the side,” Green told Yahoo! Sports ahead of Game 2 Thursday night.
It is true that these stars can separate off-field friendships with rivalries on the court. James himself is close with numerous stars around the Association. It’s what happens when you are in the limelight for the better part of two decades in the NBA.
While Green is seen as enigmatic and a hot head, he also shares friendships with players on other teams. It’s all about the competitiveness coming out on the court.
Related: Takeaways from Los Angeles Lakers Game 2 win over Golden State Warriors
Draymond Green must prove his value to the Golden State Warriors
Green, 33, has a player option valued at $27.59 million for next season. It’s an option he certainly is going to decline. Whether Golden State meets his ask of a max contract remains to be seen. The team has a youngster in Jonathan Kuminga who is cheaper and could be ready to take over at the four.
As for Green, it’s now all about showing that he should be part of the Warriors’ future whether their dynastic run continues or comes to an end during the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
- Draymond Green stats (2022-23): 8.5 PP, 7.2 RPG, 6.8 APG, 53% shooting
“You don’t want to leave them in a situation where it’s like, ‘Oh, man, this is our guy and he’s been here so long. So, we have to do this.’ You want to leave them a situation where it’s been earned and deserved. So that’s my job,” Green said about his future with the Warriors.
The four-time NBA champion put up just six points, four rebounds and seven assists in Golden State’s Game 1 loss to LeBron James and the Lakers. The Warriors finished minus-eight in his 34 minutes of action while outscoring Los Angeles by three with him on the bench.
Game 2 is slated to tip off at 9:00 PM ET from Chase Center in San Francisco Thursday night. It’s pretty much a must win for Draymond Green and the Warriors. Teams boast a 13% winning percentage after falling down 2-0 in seven-game series dating back to 2012. Losing the first two games at home would pretty much be a death knell for Green and the Warriors.