Klay Thompson Did Not Hold Back When Telling Draymond Green How His Ejections Keep Hurting The Warriors
Do you remember a few weeks ago when Draymond got ejected from a game against the Magic for complaining to the refs about a play he wasn't even involved in? It was a pretty big game for the Warriors at the time, and given all the drama and bullshit that Draymond had been putting the team through up until that point, it was no surprise this was Steph's reaction
Could you blame anyone on that roster for being over it? Especially at a time when the team was fighting for their playoff lives and the stars don't exactly have a ton of time left in the league? I imagine at some point you reach your breaking point.
But what I don't think we've ever had was an open an honest conversation from the Steph/Klay's of the world about how they truly feel when Draymond does Draymond things. Sure we've gotten the boilerplate press conference quotes and all that, but I can't remember ever getting a time where either guy speaks openly and honestly about this stuff.
Well, now we have it.
While it does seem like every NBA player and their mother has a podcast in 2024, sometimes it's not the worst thing in the world. For example, we finally got to hear Klay Thompson open up about Draymond's issues right to Draymond's face
All that talk about seeing a therapist, maybe this is all Draymond needs to do? Listen to the people that he's screwing over in those moments and see how it not only impacts them, but the team as a whole. I'll give Draymond some credit here, that's probably not easy to hear. Good on him for opening himself up for a truth bomb like that, and while I'm sure there are things Klay held back from saying, his overall point is true.
Just look at how the Warriors have been playing recently. 7-3 over their last 10, sure being stuck in 10th isn't great, but at least they prevented falling into the lottery (without a pick) which would have been a disaster. If healthy, I will firmly believe the Warriors always have a chance until they are truly dead and buried and the clock hits 0.0. They've earned that respect.
And if you've watched those games, you know how important Draymond has been to those wins. His defense, the way he facilitates offensively, and the moving screens, all play a huge role in what makes the Warriors successful. That's why he's the straw that stirs the drink, and when Draymond isn't active, there is no doubt the Warriors are different.
On the season, GS is just 11-14 without Draymond in the lineup, which stinks. That means they are 32-21 with him, and while that doesn't blow your dick off, it's just under a 50 win pace. Basically, the Warriors go from a 36 win team without Draymond this year to a 49.5 win team with him. That's a pretty drastic difference and probably why Klay/Steph get so frustrated whenever Draymond acts like an asshole and does something that puts his availability at risk.
What I'm not interested in is what happens next? It didn't seem like Draymond was all that different after grabbing Patty Mills' neck, getting ejected in only 4 minutes against the Magic, and then trying to kick Grant Williams in the dick in 3 consecutive games. But now that this episode/clip has happened and we as fans can all see Klay telling Draymond to effectively cut the shit, is this the thing that will finally keep him on the court?
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Because as we enter the Play In/Playoffs, a fully healthy Warriors team is not your typical 10 seed. Sure they may have problems with the Lakers size, but they are 2-1 vs LAL on the season and in a single game, anything can happen. Steph goes nuclear and that might be all they need. Then if it comes down to NO/SAC (most likely an injured SAC), I would imagine GS feels pretty good about that matchup. At this point, just keep going. Say they get out of the Play In and the young inexperienced Wolves are their first round opponent. Are we sure they are ready? MIN has dominated during the year (3-0) but we all know the playoffs are a different beast.
The point is, there is a real opportunity for the Warriors should they keep their shit together, and that starts with having Draymond on the court. With Klay's pending free agency this summer, for all we know this is truly the last run, and I feel like that's what Klay is trying to convey to Draymond.
Sometimes it takes hearing it from those you lose to truly change, and as a Warriors fan I would be praying to the Basketball Gods that this is the moment that finally breaks through for Draymond.
If nothing else, this clip will be fun to come back to the next time Draymond gets tossed in a big game for choking someone or punching someone or stepping on someone, or kicking someone in the dick.
The fact that I was able to type out so many options that have all actually happened is pretty wild, but then again that's simply the Draymond Green Experience.