The most jarring aspect of what many believe is the best performance of Draymond Green's career is what it didn't include.
While Green was leading the Golden State Warriors to another comeback win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, finishing with 20 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists, and four steals, absent were any of his trademark histrionics. He didn't get into it with any of his opponents, he kept demonstrative on-court celebrations to a fleeting minimum, and perhaps most impressively, he was cordial with the officiating crew from start to finish.
After the game, Green explained his newfound sense of calm and composure by wanting to set an example for his children, especially a toddler-aged son who began emulating his father on a play hoop.
“He plays on his little hoops and like stomp around. I was like, ‘I like the intensity, but slow down!' I realized how impressionable the kids are at the age that they're at,” he said, per The Athletic's Anthony Slater. “I just really wanted to be a good example to them and show them the right thing. My son was playing, he was shooting and flopping, and I said, ‘You gotta stop watching the NBA.' Shooting and falling on the floor like ‘Oh, Dada! Help me up!' I was like ‘No, what you flopping for?'
“It's just, like, [my kids] are really impressionable at this age and I want to make sure I'm setting a good example for them as well,” Green continued.
Draymond Green is currently performing at a level on both ends of the floor few in league history have ever reached. And as much as losing an astounding 26 pounds in preparation for the playoffs has helped him breathe that rarified air, it's clear the responsibility of fatherhood is playing a major factor, too.
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