Tag: Draymond Green

Draymond Green joyfully taunted Rudy Gobert with a petty ‘night-night’ all the way down the floor

Draymond Green was waiting for this moment for his entire NBA career.

Draymond Green does not like Rudy Gobert. At all. In fact, Green probably hates Gobert (yes, hates) more than any other opposing player in the NBA. No one would reasonably dispute these statements. So, on Sunday night, Green enjoyed a glorious moment over the Minnesota Timberwolves reigning Defensive Player of the Year, for which he’s probably been waiting years.

As the Golden State Warriors tried to close Minnesota out, Green had the ball at the top of the key. Gobert guarded him one-on-one. Green blew by Gobert and took it to the rack for a vicious dunk that essentially locked up the Warriors’ win.

Green could’ve left it there and simply run back on defense. He, of course, did not do that. Not when he had a chance to poke and prod at Gobert. No sir.

Instead, Green emulated Steph Curry by doing a hilarious “night, night” taunt while following Gobert all the way down the floor.

Goodness, isn’t basketball better with real hate and pettiness like this?

What do you think the over and under is on the number of times Green thought about dunking on Gobert and taunting him before this happened? Could we even count it without a machine? Probably not. And how many times do you think Green has already watched this clip while cackling to himself? That’s also likely off the charts.

The Warriors and Timberwolves will meet up again in just about two weeks, but I really wish that matchup were tomorrow.  I, for one, can’t wait to see what new antics Green has in store for Gobert.

Minimum GOATs: The best players ever on the NBA’s base salary

At any given time, roughly a third of the league is on veteran or rookie minimum contracts. By and large, these are young and unproven or older and nearly washed players, balancing on a knife’s edge for their NBA careers. Most second-round picks, …

At any given time, roughly a third of the league is on veteran or rookie minimum contracts. By and large, these are young and unproven or older and nearly washed players, balancing on a knife’s edge for their NBA careers. Most second-round picks, for example, end up signing minimum deals, and few stick in the league for too long. But every once in a while, a minimum player makes you sit up and take notice of their play.

Here are the Top 20 players to play on minimum deals. (For this exercise, we’re focusing on players on minimum contracts for full seasons).

Tom Izzo lists who he would like to replace him at Michigan State when he retires

Tom Izzo named a few people who he would like to replace him at Michigan State when he eventually retires

This offseason, fresh off a hip replacement surgery, Michigan State basketball head coach Tom Izzo seemed like he found the fountain of youth and made a point to tell the media multiple times that he has no plans to retire anytime soon.

“I got no interest in getting out of it,” Izzo said Monday on the College Hoops Today Podcast, per Fan Duel’s Jon Rothstein. “When I’m done, I’m going to talk to Mateen Cleaves, Steve Smith, Magic Johnson, and Draymond Green. I don’t want to lose the culture that I’ve seen for 40 years as a GA on up. I think it’s being lost somewhat now in college sports. Not just for me, but the players who come back and are a part of things. At least here at Michigan State, it’s important. It may not be that way at other places.”

It would be a little hard to imagine 65-year old billionaire Magic Johnson taking over that job, and it’s also worth noting that Draymond Green said back in July that he doesn’t have any interest in coaching Michigan State. Then again, he could also just be referring to those four as people he will consult with after he retires and not who he actually thinks will directly replace him.

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2024-25 Golden State Warriors: A quick preview

The Golden State Warriors are primed for a stronger season, with hopes resting on a Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Stephen Curry continuing his MVP-level play, and key contributions from their younger players. After parting ways with Klay Thompson …

The Golden State Warriors are primed for a stronger season, with hopes resting on a Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Stephen Curry continuing his MVP-level play, and key contributions from their younger players. After parting ways with Klay Thompson in a sign-and-trade deal that sent him to Dallas, the Warriors gained valuable financial flexibility and retooled their roster. They brought in reinforcements like Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson, and De’Anthony Melton, adding much-needed shooting depth and bench support – crucial to their offensive system.

The development of young talents like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, and Trayce Jackson-Davis will be key, as the Warriors aim for more consistent contributions from their bench. With Curry leading the way, the Warriors have the potential to bypass the play-in tournament entirely and secure a top-six spot in the West in a best-case scenario.

Draymond Green rightfully refused to engage with a condescending question about his nightly availability

Draymond Green refused to take this reporter’s condescending bait.

Draymond Green has an extensive reputation for sometimes taking things way too far on a basketball court. As such, it’s very fair to ask whether anyone with the Golden State Warriors is concerned about his availability moving forward if he’s going to keep losing his cool.

The thing is, you have to ask that question in the right, non-disingenuous way without seemingly trying to bait a narrative.

On Monday, during a press conference at Warriors media day, a reporter told Green that people (fans, teammates, etc.) were “worried about him.”  Naturally, Green took great exception to this weird framing because it starts to sound like there’s more to worry about in his life than his occasional conduct in the extremely narrow scope of basketball. That’s just not the case.

As Green alludes, he’s a successful, wealthy Black man who will go down as one of the best players in NBA history. Why on Earth would anyone be “worried” about him?

Good for Green for refusing to take this silly bait.

Again, it’s one thing to ask him about people being concerned about his NBA availability because he could potentially get suspended and leave the Warriors shorthanded once more. That’s totally fair to ask for someone of Green’s on-court history, and it keeps it within the realm of the game. You also don’t have to get a perfect quote from him in this regard. A no-comment or curt answer is fine.

It’s another to ask this question in one of the most patronizing ways possible, as if Green, the basketball player, is in any way connected to Green, the man. Green rightfully shot this conversation down.

Michigan State basketball greats visit old assistant coach

Two MSU greats visited Mark Montgomery at Detroit before grind week:

Michigan State basketball completed grind week this weekend, which brings former Spartans back to campus for a ceremonious week in East Lansing. Before MSU greats Draymond Green and Travis Walton made their way to East Lansing, they made a pit stop.

Green and Walton made a stop in Detroit at Detroit Mercy to visit former Michigan State head coach Mark Montgomery, who is heading into his first season as the head coach for the Titans.

Montgomery shared the moment on X:

https://twitter.com/Coach_Monty_/status/1834033610845778256

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MSU basketball hosts annual ‘Grind Week’ with alumni, current players

Michigan State basketball opened its doors for alumni this weekend in its annual “Grind Week” event

Michigan State basketball opened its doors for alumni this weekend in its annual “Grind Week” event.

“Grind Week” is an annual event the Spartans’ program hosts where the current team and numerous former players practice together and celebrate Michigan State basketball. This is the fourth annual year the Spartans have hosted this event.

Based on posts from the Spartans’ social media team, former players such as Draymond Green, Xavier Tillman, Max Christie and Tyson Walker came back to Michigan State for the event. Check out some fun posts on the social media platform X that Michigan State shared from this year’s event:

https://twitter.com/MSU_Basketball/status/1834738019498381376

https://twitter.com/MSU_Basketball/status/1835011442833342677

https://twitter.com/MSU_Basketball/status/1834638775831658942

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.

Sam Cassell: Nikola Jokic ‘wouldn’t stand a chance’ versus Hakeem Olajuwon

“I believe Hakeem [Olajuwon] would have an answer for whatever [Nikola] Jokić tried defensively,” Sam Cassell says of his former championship teammate.

After winning a pair of championships with the Houston Rockets in 1994 and 1995, NBA veteran Sam Cassell is understandably biased in favor of his legendary teammate at center, Hakeem Olajuwon.

While Denver’s Nikola Jokic is currently the gold standard among NBA big men, having won three of the past four Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, Cassell doesn’t view the Nuggets star as in the same caliber as his two-time champion and Hall of Fame teammate.

Speaking to Draymond Green — a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year with the Golden State Warriors — on Green’s podcast, Cassell said of the comparison (as transcribed by EuroHoops.net):

Hakeem is a beast in every sense on the floor. He’s in the Top 10 in every NBA category — steals, rebounds, points. I think Jokić would score more points, but Hakeem would win because he would constantly pressure him. Jokić wouldn’t be able to do damage in the post; it simply wouldn’t happen.

On the other end of the floor, Jokić wouldn’t stand a chance. Joel Embiid gives him problems, and he wouldn’t have any hope against Hakeem. I believe Hakeem would have an answer for whatever Jokić tried defensively.

Now an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics, it’s worth noting that Cassell previously spent three seasons (2020-23) as an assistant in Philadelphia. There appears to be a rivalry between Embiid and Jokić, and that experience working closely with Embiid and the 76ers might have further tilted Cassell in an anti-Jokić direction.

Cassell’s complete podcast comments can be viewed below.

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Warriors young core must show signs of growth next season

The Golden State Warriors younger contingent must show signs of development next season.

The Golden State Warriors have been straddling two developmental timelines for multiple years. At the one end of the spectrum, you have Steph Curry and Draymond Green, two veterans with vast championship experience and the talent to continue challenging at the highest levels of the NBA. On the other hand, you have Jonathan Kumigna, Moses Moody, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Brandin Podziemski all of whom look capable of leading the Warriors’ next generation.

However, Steve Kerr has often struggled to find the balance between developing the franchise’s younger talents and ensuring the team is competitive enough to give Curry and Green a shot at winning another championship ring.

In a recent episode of “Locked On Warriors,” the hosts discussed how Golden State can bridge the gap between the two timelines. The conclusion was that the Warriors’ younger talents must show signs of rapid growth so that they can play their part in a potential push to the NBA Finals, either next season or the one after.

You can watch the full episode by clicking on the embedded link above.

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Draymond Green says he does not have interest in coaching Michigan State basketball

MSU fans who want Draymond Green to coach the Spartans one day will not be happy with his comments:

Many fans in the Michigan State basketball fan base have made it known that they have a desire for Golden State Warriors star forward and MSU legend Draymond Green to be the head basketball coach at Michigan State one day.

Unfortunately, the former MSU star and future NBA Hall of Famer does not see himself having a desire to coach Michigan State after his NBA career:

‘Man I love Michigan State so much… I will always be a part of the program, but I’m just not sure I can coach Michigan State. Chasing around high school kids whose parents think they are the best thing since sliced bread and trying to tell me what I should do for their kid… I’m not sure I can really do that. And also I’ve been on a basketball schedule all my life, and I don’t think people know what that entails… Being a coach, their schedule is actually worse than mine and my schedule sucks!’

Listen to Green’s full quote via X:

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