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PORTLAND, Oregon. – Draymond Green's face lights up when he talks about his son. Of course, he smiles and laughs when he tears at Steph Curry's fashion choices before talking to the media the day after another phenomenal playoff performance that led to a win in the third game of the Golden State Warriors against Trail Portland Blazers. But when he starts talking about his family, it's different. Bravery and boastfulness melt and give way to sincerity and astonishment when Green proudly throws on Draymond Jr.
They say that parenting requires you to grow up quickly and that Green's son has directly helped to change the focus of this post-season that has led to one of the best moments of his career. He's averaged 13.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals this post-season, and was pretty close to the best player in a conference final from the West with Curry, Damian Lillard, Klay Thompson and CJ McCollum.
So, what did Draymond Jr. do for her father to take a hard look in the mirror? He imitated the negative body language of his father.
"Yes, he's playing on his little hoop, then he's walking in. It's like I like the intensity, but slow down, young man," Green told reporters Sunday. "I realize how impressionable children are at their age – I really want to be a good example to them and show them the good thing." My son was playing, he was shooting and flopping. stop watching the NBA. He fell to the ground, "Oh, dad, help me up." What are you flopping?
"I'm really impressionable at this age, I want to make sure to give them a good example as well."
Green was tied for the league lead with 16 technical fouls in the regular season after finishing second in last season. But with his influence on his son and other young fans in the forefront of his mind, Green made an active effort to contain his infamous tendency to argue with officials and to show off his negative emotions.
While he was studying film, Green saw himself reacting to calls or arguing with referees and embarrassment was installing.
"It was disgusting for me," Green said. "I remember one time earlier this year, I put myself in it with [NBA official] Zach Zarba. After the match, it was like: "Wow, it was embarrassing." So that's something I really wanted to keep in mind, especially with the playoffs. "
Green's most recognizable explosion may have occurred in the 2016 NBA Finals, when he was caught by LeBron James and eventually hit James in the groin area. Green was found guilty of a blatant foul, which placed him above the playoff limit and earned him a suspension that, according to many, cost the Warriors the championship this season.
"I've already been a victim of this type of scenario and I can not make the same mistake twice," Green said. "I also realize how much energy I was losing on something that I can not change.I can cry and complain about a call that I want.This does not change.So why even focus my energy in that sense is useless, so just try to be more aware of it. "
The Warrior coach, Steve Kerr, who has seen Green's good and bad sides for years, has also noticed a change in the player that he calls the Warriors' "emotional leader."
"I'm really aware of the improvement of his goal.I mean, I think it's been really obvious in the last few weeks, and I think it's important because when he's upset and moved, it costs us dearly to lose our focus as a team, "Kerr said Sunday. "I mean, he's our leader.He's our emotional leader.So, he can play as he did last night to move to the next room after something does not go well. it's a huge boost for our team. "
A perfect example came after one of the most decisive games of match 3. With the Warriors in the middle of their third-quarter run that eventually cleared the Blazers' lead, second-year center Jordan Bell missed a dunk escaped very open. The accident threatened to reverse the momentum gained by the Warriors during their course, and Green's initial reaction was to throw his hands in the air and drop his head. But he quickly regrouped and gave Bell some words of encouragement so that the head of his young teammate could come back in the game.
"My teammates always tell me:" We follow your body language, "said Green after Match 3." So, at that moment, I just wanted to make sure my body language stays positive. "
Despite his reputation for explosions in the game, Green thinks that the reason he is just an emotional player is a loophole. He cited the biggest bazaar of chemistry in the Warrior dynasty, the split between him and Kevin Durant, which earned Green a one-game suspension earlier this season, as he discussed his ability to control his emotions.
"It's funny because when Kevin and his comrades arrived at the beginning of the year, he said everyone was saying," Oh, it's just Draymond; he is emotional, "said Green." But he then said to me, "You're not moved, I've seen you stuck and do not say a word to the referees. give it that pass. "And it's a little stuck with me too. "
Whatever Green did, it works. As crucial as it has been in this Warrior dynasty over the last few years, this last stretch without Durant could be the most impactful of Green so far, given the load that he has to stand on both ends of the field while playing huge minutes and constantly accelerating to seemingly unsustainable levels.
"I just know that he's playing incredibly well right now," Kerr said after the third game. "He plays with the force, he plays with the discipline, he plays under control, he does not let anything interfere with him, you know, referee, bad shots, turnovers, he just goes to the next play. as good as he has ever been. "
If this group of warriors eventually win the title # 4 in a few weeks, they may have to make an extra ring for Draymond Jr. as a thank you.
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