The biggest recent rivalry in the NBA is the one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. The two teams have made three straight NBA Finals, with the Dubs winning two. The centerpiece of the rivalry is the duo of LeBron James and Draymond Green.
While James is in the focus due to his legacy, Green is there as the most outspoken Warrior. Also, Green was the one whose suspension, per many analysts, swung the 2016 NBA Finals in favor of the Cavs. Even that suspension was due to an altercation between James and Green.
Due to all of this, a lot of people assume that these players have a lot of hate off the court. However, in an interview with Max Whittle from the Guardian, Green confirmed the rivalry on the court, but denied bad blood off the court.
“Don’t get me wrong, when [James and I] are on that basketball court we take it very seriously,” says Green. “There is definitely a rivalry there. We are also friends and business partners off the court.”
This is truly great to hear. A lot of players carry bad blood off the court. This is a sport and it is meant to be another reality on the court, but a part of sportsmanship is leaving what is said and done on the court where it belongs — on the court.
It is amazing to hear that All-Star forwards James and Green respect that unwritten rule.
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