Draymond Green created lots of headlines during NBA All-Star break, even where he was not trying to.
During the All-Star break, Draymond Green was everywhere. He spoke out on the NBA broadcast to slam the set up of the game, angered that the Rising Stars got to play on the hallowed Sunday.
Green also made a vow that the Warriors will go on to win the title, inspired by the recent trade move for Jimmy Butler that has bolstered the team on and off the court.
While this was going on, Draymond Green was ripped into by NBA legend Oscar Robertson, who took issue with the Warriors star’s views on the state of the league.
After beginning his rant with “Who cares what Draymond says?”, Robertson added: “If you look at the basketball, it might be boring to him. If he’s not passing the ball to Stephen Curry, what is he doing?”
And now after holding his silence, Draymond has had his say…
Draymond Green voiced his thoughts on his podcast speaking to Baron Davis. And he insisted he wanted to respond respectfully.
Green referred to Robertson’s age, but also insisted that just because somebody was a highly skilled basketball player, does not mean they are always right.
He said: “I thought those comments were very interesting. Big O is 86-years-old, so if you think I’m going to come on here and disrespect, because there was disrespect on, that ain’t how I roll.
“I’m never going to disrespect one of the pioneers of the game, because quite frankly, being great at something, when there’s skill involved, doesn’t necessarily mean the knowledge matches the greatness of that skill.
“I think in basketball, that’s often times misconstrued.
“You see a guy with great skill, and in turn you give that guy respect because of the skill. And the knowledge ain’t really there. So that happens all the time in what we do.
“What I do know is, I know this game as good as most. I feel like I can sit at the table with anyone and talk this game.”
Draymond Green did not stop there. He had more to say on Oscar Robertson’s comments, and really trod the line he drew when he said he did not wish to be disrespectful.
Speaking about his own game, he made the point that passing to teammate Steph Curry is a pretty clever strategy.
“I’m not sure what idiot wouldn’t want to pass Steph Curry the ball when he’s the greatest scorer of all time. I don’t really take that personally.
“Why wouldn’t I? It opens up things for everyone else.
“I actually get a lot of joy from passing the ball, I find a rhythm from passing the ball.”
And then he went on to point out that he was pretty certain Oscar Robertson passed the ball to great players too.
“In the year that Big O won the championship, you were passing the ball to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar himself. Not quite sure where the dig come from.”
Draymond added that he had respect for what Robertson achieved in terms of reforming the free agency rules back in the 1970s, even if he had never taken advantage of it in his own career, he knows plenty of players who have, and are richer for it.
He did say he was taken aback by Robertson’s comments, having had a cordial exchange with the former Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks great during All-Star weekend.
He said: “I was a little surprised. It wasn’t quite the same energy when I saw him.”
And then he could not resist taking a dig, adding: “Quite honestly at 86 I’m sure Big O ain’t watching many of our games. He’s sound asleep by time we play at night.”
