Among the Golden State players who went through Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics was Draymond Green. “I dropped Stephen Curry but I will react” he said after the initial meeting. We can say that he kept his words last night, even if the form was not very good…
“He tried to spoil the game. » That’s what Jaylen Brown said at a press conference after the Dubs won Game 2 tonight, and it’s hard to disagree with that analysis. Because if JB did not forget to underline the intensity and the physical impact that Green brought to the Warriors in this second round, we saw Draymond do Draymond x10: confuse with Brown, confuse with Jayson Tatum, confuse with Grant Williams, physical provocation, verbal altercation, exchanges with the referees, technical foul, all this accompanied by what makes Draymond great as a pure basketball player, namely defense, playmaking and game intelligence. In short, the full Draymond Green experience. Clearly, after his lackluster Game 1 performance, a reaction was expected from Green. We are talking about a three-time NBA champion and the vocal leader of the Warriors, so he could not once again represent one of the reasons for Golden State’s defeat as he may have been a few days ago. It’s simple, Dray arrived on the field with a single mission in mind: to fuck the box, which he manages to do rather well when he decides to get serious about it. And whether we like his manners or not, there’s no denying that he’s helped the Warriors bounce back very well in this series. The Dubs dominated this encounter in many aspects, especially in terms of intensity as well as in defense. And as you can imagine, the driving force behind it all is Draymond. Finishing the game with 9 points (only 2/3 in shooting but 5/7 in free throws), 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 interception, 1 block, 1 turnover and around 257 fouls caused, Green was clearly a difference- maker, he who notably raised his voice on Jaylen Brown after the latter’s big start.
“I think everyone played with more strength. It wasn’t just me versus Jaylen Brown. It was everyone. If it’s just me raising my voice, it doesn’t work. […]
Yes, I wanted to be more aggressive, and I think I did a good job. But it is a real collective effort. »
– Draymond Green in a post-match press conference
Things got heated between Draymond and Jaylen Brown pic.twitter.com/5qY5bA9S0l
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) June 6, 2022
Where Draymond is very strong is that he has gotten us so used to his antics that it passes cream in the eyes of the referees today. So obviously, it happens that the officials throw a technique in his face just to calm him down a bit, and that was the case at the start of the match last night. But then, Green knows very well that he can do just about anything he wants without taking a second., simply because no official wants to be the one to eject a major player before even halftime of an NBA Finals game. Even Steve Javie, a former referee who today comments on refereeing decisions for ESPN, admitted without shaking his chin – after an altercation between Green and Brown reviewed on video – that officials take into account the status of a player like Green at the level of technical fouls before deciding whether he deserves a second one. From there, it’s no surprise if Green continues to yell at the referees or provoke the opponents, whether he’s being sent off or not. We can say ‘but be careful Draymond!’ behind our screens, except that in the end we know very well that there is little chance that a referee will decide to kick him out. Not impossible, huh, but watch last night’s game again and you’ll understand very well what we mean.
“I wasn’t surprised that Draymond didn’t have a second technique. Not at all, because of the circumstances. »
– Celtics coach Ime Udoka after the game
Clearly, Green knows how to flirt with the limits to make sure things work in favor of his Warriors. Celtics fans may still be wondering how he managed to finish the game, but Draymond knows what he’s doing even if he seems out of control at times. Winning by any means possible is the mantra of the Warriors loudmouth.
In real life one day we will discuss the treatment reserved for Draymond Green by the referees, on his technical faults or not.
There are guys who make a third and are expelled on the spot. It lacks credibility.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) June 6, 2022