The Golden State Warriors have struggled to string together a few wins to help their late-season playoff push. However, while being on a losing streak, that isn't what reporters have been writing about. Draymond Green's bold statement of him saying he felt that he was the best defender ever to play was the talk of the basketball world. After practice Wednesday, Clutchpoints asked Green why did he receive so much criticism from former players.
“Probably because I speak up more than they ever felt they could. Some people allow themselves to be muzzled, and I don’t. I think a lot of people envy that. So, that's their business…I don't think im going to be a guy that sits on Twitter and responds to stuff current players say. That's usually guys who didn't quite accomplish in basketball what they know that they could accomplish,” Green told Clutchpoints.
Draymond Green is a winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award, and he's been named to an NBA All-Defensive Team five times, lead the league in steals once, and won three NBA titles with the Warriors. A guy with a resume like that probably should feel he's the best defender ever. It's not many players who can say they have accomplished as much as Green. He continued to explain his thoughts on why they reacted the way they did.
“So, outwardly, it's like yeah, I feel good about my career, I feel good about what I brought to the table, but they don't feel great about how their career ended…maybe they didn't win a championship. Some of these guys didn't win a Defensive Player of the Year trophy. Whatever that thing is…They take that feeling of emptiness, and they let it out on Twitter,” Green said.
Green expressed he had no hard feelings with any of the players who denied his claim as top dog for defenders. He also said he thanks them for paving the way, and Green has a ton of respect for Tony Allen but doubles down on what he said, calling it factual.
Draymond Green is happy with how his career is turning out and reminds former NBA players of something they were all taught.
“Coaches told you since elementary leave it all on the floor. Because once it's gone, it's gone because that shit is gone now…I hope retirement is great, though,” Green said.