PORTLAND, Ore. — There is a new Draymond Green on the floor it seems, calmer, more focused, and quite possibly steering the Golden State Warriors to a third consecutive NBA championship.
So what does the new Green think of the old one?
“Disgusting,” he said.
Green’s performance in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against the Portland Trail Blazers was notable not only because it put the Warriors at 3-0 and within a single victory of a fifth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals. On occasions where he might typically have railed against the referees, it was distinct and noticeable that Green kept his cool.
But why? And why now?
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“I realized I had got to a point where I was doing more crying than playing,” he said. “I am sure it was disgusting to watch because I felt disgusting playing that way. I just wanted to lock back in on the game. I understand that officials are not perfect and I still have conversations with them now when they miss a call but it is a completely different conversation.”
Draymond Green and the Warriors are one win away from their fifth consecutive NBA Finals appearance. (Photo: Troy Wayrynen, USA TODAY Sports)
With Kevin Durant still out injured, the Warriors have been forced to adapt heavily. Stephen Curry’s scoring and shooting have been ignited, Klay Thompson has surged, and Green has provided energy and poise at both ends of the floor.
“The stat line is ridiculous,” said Thompson, reflecting on Green’s 20 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists and four steals, which helped Golden State overturn a 13-point half-time deficit to win going away, 110-99 at the Moda Center. “Doing it on both ends. But it is nothing new. I have seen him do it for seven years. He is a like a second point guard out there and relieves a lot of pressure off of me and Steph. He makes us go, but knowing Dray, he is probably not satisfied.”
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However, it might be the little things Green is doing that are making the bigger difference. When youngster Jordan Bell got over-excited on a breakaway and missed a dunk attempt with the team trailing by eight in the third quarter, it was Green who singled him out for kindly words of encouragement. On the final play of a disappointing first half, it was Green who drove strongly and directly for the basket to ensure the deficit was made that little bit more manageable.
And when calls went in a manner he didn’t necessarily approve of, there was none of the ranting and theatrics that had become his trademark of sorts.
“I think it definitely helps the energy,” Green admitted. “I still like to pick and choose my spots. Sometime I may take a (technical foul). That’s more mindful than just getting a tech. Sometimes I know we need an energy burst, maybe I will take one. Sometimes I am not mindful and that just kills the energy of my team.
“My mom has been really big and my fiancée (Hazel Renee) has been really big in just talking to me and telling me to stay locked in on the game. I also have some little ones at the house that’s enjoying watching me play, I don’t necessarily want them to see that.”
Green’s mother has a wonderfully direct and often highly-amusing brand of straight talking. She told The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears recently that her pre-game motivation texts have recently shifted from encouragement to pleas for a more mature approach.
“When they first started the series and everybody started complaining about the refs and saying they were dominating the game, I told Dray, ‘Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing,'” Mary Babers-Green said to Spears. “Don’t worry about that. Your job out there is to stay on the floor.’”
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