Draymond Green has become one of the best in the NBA at earning technical fouls. He accumulates them at a higher rate than almost anyone, getting him a reputation where now the referees essentially anticipate handing them his way.
That wasn't the case Saturday night when the Golden State Warriors took on the Toronto Raptors. Green did not receive any technicals despite a hotly contested game that came down to the wire, and one that wasn't without some controversial calls.
But that doesn't mean the urge wasn't still there for Green. This time though, Green utilized a strategy to avoid those techs that he hasn't before.
Draymond Green said there were a couple times he wanted to get a technical today, but he just thought about the Luther Vandross music he listened to pregame and it calmed him.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 14, 2018
It's an interesting strategy for Green that seems to have paid off. A good reminder to call upon the state of mind Vandross' music clearly puts him in to remain level-headed, not sacrificing the future to indulge in his emotions in the present.
The NBA's referees and its players have taken to a new level in their relationship this season, to the point where it's become one of the main focal points of the league and there will be sit-downs over All-Star Weekend to try and sort out some of the issues that are causing the relationship with both parties to be poisoned.
Instead of trying to find ways to blame either side, it appears Green is taking a better approach to the conflict, looking inward to solve any potential issues that could harm himself and his team down the road. The effective strategy ultimately shouldn't surprise anyone that understands Green's overall commitment to being a main cog of a winning organization. Look for Green to continue with this strategy as it appears to have proven effective at least a few times last night when he needed it.
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