Athlete Opinion Profile

The glue and the problem

Derrick Story on flickr.com

Draymond Green in a pre-game interview on May 10, 2013.

Wikimedia Commons

Draymond Green

A kid from Michigan with confidence and the grit to become a four-time NBA champion. The glue of the Golden State Warriors' dynasty. However, in recent years has his time as the hothead gotten him involved in too many sticky situations?

Many NBA fans either love or hate Draymond Green. Some fans love his passion for the game. Others think he is selfish and hate his quick temper. 

However, I'm in the middle. 

I appreciate all he has done for the Warriors. Jumping around my living room with my blue and yellow W's hoodie on and high-fiving my dad as we watched them win four titles will always be one of my favorite memories. The chemistry built on those championship teams doesn't happen without Green.

His leadership and intelligence are contagious, and his teammates want to prove themselves to him. He won't put up insane stats every night. He's not that guy. But if there's a loose ball, Green will get it. And he expects his teammates to be alongside him, getting bumps and bruises, diving for the ball.

Keith Allison

Draymond Green contesting a shot 

by Wizard's Marcin Gortat.

Every possession matters to Green.

Arguably the greatest player the game has ever seen, Lebron James, speaks highly of Green on his podcast called Mind the Game. James cohosts this with another NBA legend and current head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers JJ Redick. 

James said, "Draymond Green's biggest asset, offensively for Golden State is his ability to get Steph open, Klay open and then play in the pocket. Where his asset is four-on-three and now his IQ kicks in. That's the threat."

You don't have to be one of the best to realize how critical Green's abilities are for the Warriors. As a former player, Green had a huge part in how I learned how to be role player. I didn't go out and score a lot each game. But I learned from watching Green that playing disciplined defense, making smart passing decisions and knowing your opponent's next move is more valuable than hitting every single shot you ever take.

Even though Green's skills and passion have brought me much joy and success as a fan and player, he certainly has his flaws. He's extremely invested in his success and often gets caught up in his frustration and lashes out, putting his team in jeopardy of losing momentum or even the game. He never backs down. However, one could argue that he should pick his battles and avoid the drama that throws off his team's rhythm.

However, many say that Green will always be Green. 

He's stubborn and stuck in his ways.

In the span of his 12-year career Green has the stats to back up his aggressive personality on the court. As of February 18, 2025, Green has accumulated 16 flagrant fouls, 20 ejections and 161 technical fouls.

I hate when he acts like this, and I've seen the eye rolls and arms flailing in frustration from Green's coaches and fellow players too. It's a bad image for the team. At these pivotal moments, many times Green's outbursts reflect that the coaches have zero control and that the team isn't disciplined.

Even though many believe that there is no such thing as bad publicity, there certainly is as sports shows and social media accounts put Green on blast for his dirty plays. Watch this video and you will see exactly why.

He's a hothead — he's a champion, nonetheless.  

Me in 500 Words

The maddening attempt for perfection

Free Educational Experiences

A "Mad Minutes" worksheet that was a nightmare for me.

My tiny frame begins to shake. I'm only in third grade. Feeling hopeless. 

The paper beneath my left hand begins to bubble as sweat dries over it. I'm stumbling over which basic math equation to do next. My eyes dart from the page filled with symbols and numbers to the clock that clicks with each tick.

"Mad Minutes" began my spiral. Everyone else in class didn't seem to struggle.

I felt stupid. 

Why wasn't I good enough?

Crying became a routine. My tiny blue eyes blurred and burned as my parents sat in front of me attempting to comfort me, but it was hardly any use. 

They didn't understand at first why my brain went to mush because they would practice problems with me over and over again. I couldn't comprehend it either because I knew the answers.

So what was wrong? Welp, I couldn't handle the pressure of time constraints and I learned that the hard way. Pencils returned to the smooth divots on each desk as my friends completed their equations with time to spare. Warmth rushed over me and my cheeks flushed a bright pink as my teacher said, "Times up."

Did I fully overcome it? Not even close. The anxiety over grades and being perfect will always loom over me. However, little me would be extremely proud. Instead of letting my nerves consume me, I've learned to express to my parents that I feel immense pressure to continuously prove my worth.

If I didn't have my parents, I don't know where I would be. They embraced my frail body and told me that they were proud of me and wouldn't let me fail. Relief flooded over me. They weren't ashamed or angry.

Years later, I can happily say that those comforting words have never left me. I passed the third grade, which is a statement many people say with ease. But, for me, it was a huge accomplishment. It's funny now to see how far I've come.

I still despise timed exams. The ticking of the clock never stops in my ears and in my head. But I've learned that strategizing and preparing is how I gain confidence. As long as I've put in my best effort, I have zero regrets. 

I block out the noise. I ignore my beating heart and have laser focus. With my parents' kind words and effort, I don't feel like the odd one out anymore. 

I have embraced the idea of imperfection. I try my best solely for myself, instead of trying to impress others. I want to be successful and I know that with patience I will continue to grow.

As an 8-year-old, I didn't think I would ever be good at school. I thought I had hit rock bottom and wouldn't become anything. Looking back, I know it's dramatic but cut me some slack!

Making a mistake in school isn't the end of the world anymore. I still care, but I can breathe. I've let my internal guard of perfection down.

Me at 8, left, my little sister May at 4

and my dad with our tickets for The Harlem Globetrotters. 

Me having fun outside of school (even though I was probably panicking about math).