As Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors embark on their journey to win one more championship—three years removed from a dynasty that culminated in four titles over eight seasons—fans and analysts alike wonder: When will he retire? The truth is, it’s difficult to determine.
Green recently responded to comments made by Kevin Durant regarding the importance of a team’s defense when aspiring for a championship. Green, who turns 36 this March and is in his 14th season with the Warriors, believes he can still compete at an elite level on the defensive end.
“I don’t know what that exact number is, but I do know I still enjoy a lot of what comes with this,” Green said, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick. “And as long as I enjoy it, and can go through that process and give what I need to give to be at an elite level, I don’t foresee a reason to tie my shoe strings together and throw them over the telephone rope yet.”
He added, “I still enjoy too much of it. And I’m healthy. So you add the enjoyment with the health, and those two things can make it a little tougher [to walk away].”
As a seasoned veteran, Green feels extraordinary and takes pride in holding his own in a highly competitive league. “I’m in a space where I can fully look at this through one lens, and that’s ‘How is the basketball?’ That’s the grind of it, what I’m giving, the competition on a nightly basis. Going out there, how do I feel mentally and physically? All of that stuff is still very much intact. So that’s the only lens I need to look through right now.”
### How Draymond Green Fired Back at Rockets’ Kevin Durant
Draymond Green recently fired back at Rockets All-Star Kevin Durant’s take that offense is more important than defense. Green’s frustration stemmed from the Warriors’ defensive approach in a recent loss against the Bucks—who were without All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo—that drove him crazy.
For Green, defense is where he makes his biggest impact and takes full responsibility for the Warriors’ defensive miscues.
“I think when you look at any team that won a championship, they had a great defense. And if you look at most teams that couldn’t quite get over the hump, oftentimes it’s because they couldn’t get stops,” Green said. “That fact still remains, and I think those who don’t believe it, don’t win. It’s very simple.”
The Warriors are set to host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday as they continue their quest for another NBA championship.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/warriors-news-will-draymond-green-retire-dubs-star-gives-candid-response
