Draymond Green doesn't think he's the only one who should be in the spotlight for his “unnatural” kicks that have highlighted his game so often.
After the Warriors' loss to the Rockets on Thursday night in double-overtime — a game in which one of Green's kicks connected with James Harden's head — Green went on to say that some of Harden's layups are also “unnatural.”
A refresher on Green's comments:
“If you're gonna say it's an unnatural act, no offense to James Harden, but I've never seen nobody, up until really James started doing it, in my life that shoot a layup like this under your arm,” Green said, while demonstrating Harden's penchant for going up with swooping, two-handed rip-through layup attempts that often draw foul calls.
“That's not really a natural act, either. It's not a natural basketball play, either. So, if you're gonna make a rule, make a rule. But if you're gonna take ‘unnatural acts' out the game, then let's lock in on all these unnatural acts and take them out the game.”
Now, here's what Harden has to say back, via SI.com:
“I wouldn’t call it unnatural,” Harden said. “For me, I just go to the basket and go up with two hands like you're taught. If you grab my arm it's a foul. That's pretty natural in the sport of basketball, in any league. I don't know about whatever else (Green) has got going on.”
“Some people are copying mine as well,” Harden said of his play. “I'm not going to say any names, but you’ve got a lot of people doing my moves, going to the basket, looking for contact, all that stuff. That's what you call being a trendsetter, that's what you call being somebody people look up to. It's a great feeling for me.”
Harden has mastered the art of drawing the foul. Last year, he made more free throws than anyone else attempted. Call it unnatural, but whatever it is, it sure works.
Green's kicks are a little different since they don't seem to be a necessary part of the game. Maybe they really are unintentional but it's been happening so much, it might be about time for Green to find a way to stop it from happening so much.
Follow Us
Subscribe