Draymond Green, a player who has become synonymous with passion and intensity throughout his 12-season career with the Golden State Warriors, recently had some stern advice for young basketball prospects. As a key figure in the NBA, known for his physical and vocal leadership, Green’s words carry weight—especially when addressing the next generation of players.
Speaking to a group of young athletes, the four-time NBA champion didn’t hold back in sharing his thoughts on how they should approach the game both on and off the court. He critiqued the tendency of young players to focus too much on hitting three-pointers, emulating stars like Stephen Curry, rather than developing a more well-rounded game.
Draymond Green ( @Money23Green ) dropping knowledge to top prospects at @KlutchSports NIL Camp about rankings & thinking the game 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dQSGmu5n3E
— Jordan Richard (@JordanRichardSC) August 4, 2024
“Y’all are chasing the game like all young dudes do,” Green remarked, as reported by Swish Cultures. “You come down, thinking ‘I need to hit a three’—but let’s be real, nobody is Steph Curry. And then you’re out here complaining about every call. Look, I get a lot of technical fouls, so I know I’m not perfect on that front. But it’s cost me around two-and-a-half million dollars, which is probably more than anyone here has earned… So, what have y’all done to deserve these calls?”
Green’s message was clear: success in basketball isn’t just about shooting from beyond the arc or complaining when things don’t go your way. It’s about earning your place through hard work and smart play. He pointed out that many of the top-ranked high school players he once competed against didn’t go on to have successful careers, emphasizing that rankings are meaningless without the performance to back them up.
Throughout his career, Green has been no stranger to disciplinary actions, having accumulated 150 technical fouls, 22 disqualifications, 19 ejections, 15 flagrant fouls, and six suspensions. With this experience, he knows the fine line between playing with passion and crossing the line into unproductive behavior.
Before wrapping up, Green left the young players with advice that, if heeded, could shape their careers positively. “Play smart,” he urged. “Why take six bad threes in a game? I can’t even keep up with you guys driving to the rim right now. Read the game—why settle for threes? Think the game through. Stop crying about fouls, travels, or whatever else. And let’s be real—those who are doing all the complaining haven’t achieved much yet. Let’s just have a good run.”
While Draymond Green acknowledged that his own actions on the court might seem contradictory to his advice, he emphasized that the cost of penalties, both financially and in terms of team dynamics, is something young players should strive to avoid. His tough-love approach might cause some to question his methods, but his success in the NBA suggests that his words are worth listening to.
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