Draymond Green has had a rough run in the NBA Finals. Through four games he has somehow managed to accumulate more personal fouls, 18, than points, 17.
That said – there is a reason he is a Golden State Warriors legend. Although he isn’t playing well right now, he served an instrumental role in the team’s three NBA championships in the mid-to-late 2010s.
Moreover, Green’s absence was arguably the biggest reason the Warriors blew a 3-1 lead to LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals.
With all that in mind, from a historical perspective, Green has been key to the Warriors’ success. And part of the reason why is because he has consistently tried to do all the little, under-the-radar things that help teams win.
As it turns out, that’s not accidental. Green revealed this week that he modeled some of his game after another key role player who did the same: Boris Diaw.
Draymond Green on taking parts of his game from players like Boris Diaw, Kurt Thomas, Chuck Hayes, and Dennis Rodman.#NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV Media Availability pic.twitter.com/lwNiDaGZeg
— NBA (@NBA) June 12, 2022
“There was definitely some guys that I took things away from, and over the course of my career I still continue to watch and try to take things away from those guys,” Green said.
“… I study Boris Diaw so much early on in my career. Just how he moved the ball, how he used DHOs (Dribble Hand Offs). Moreso than a specific action, how he outthought the opponent. Was very special to me.”
Diaw was a fun player for fans who enjoy gritty supporting cast guys. He won a title with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014 and Most Improved in 2006 with the Phoenix Suns, but that’s the extent of his personal achievements in the NBA.
It’s fascinating that he is the player Green chose to model his game after.
Green has had a rough few weeks. He has made far more headlines for getting refs to admit that they give him special treatment and his dirty play against Jayson Tatum than anything notable he has done on the court itself.
Alex Rodriguez knows how to vacation in style. https://t.co/QpoAuzoxtb
— Game 7 (@game7__) June 13, 2022
Will that change as the NBA Finals progress?
Time will tell.
Related: Anthony Davis Says He Hasn’t Been Practicing, Is Busy Partying
Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
