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Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors fell to Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat on Thursday night, but it wasn't before the two went head-to-head. Green is one of the kings of mental warfare in the NBA, and as young players turn into veterans in the league, they begin to discover different ways to gain an edge over their opponents, both physically and psychologically.
On Thursday night, the 23-year-old Adebayo made an effort to give Green, 31, a taste of his own medicine. In the second quarter, Green scored a basket while being fouled by Duncan Robinson, then flexed and screamed in celebration. Adebayo halted Green's celebration, and an exchange of words began. Adabeyo revealed to ClutchPoints what was said.
“I was just trying to get him out of his free-throw routine, just trying to manipulate the game. He made the free throw, though, but if you watch the tape, later on, he was like, ‘Man, I always do that.' I was like, ‘I was just trying to make you miss the free throw. I don't really care if you do it or not.'”
Dray flexed on the Heat and Bam wasn't with it 😳 pic.twitter.com/srU50BOEJn
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 2, 2021
Since Green made the free throw, Adebayo's experiment of getting into Green's head was a failure, but it was worth trying by the young star. Adebayo talked about the respect he has for Green.
“He's one of those dudes. Once you get him going, and he starts talking, it doesn't stop, so I got great respect for that man. He does all the little things that help you win. That doesn't show up on the stat sheet or until you watch the film. Sometimes you got to realize you're going back and forth with a three-time champ.”
Draymond Green won the cognitive battle with Bam Adebayo on Thursday, but the Miami Heat won the war with a 116-109 victory.
