Draymond Green has made a name for himself as a key component in the Golden State dynasty that has dominated the NBA for the past decade. Known for his unbelievable effort on the defensive end and (at times unruly) behavior on the court, Green is an undeniable Hall of Famer. But the Warriors’ power forward has also gone through some dark times, most notably off the court.
The four-time NBA champion has been in the spotlight for more than a decade but recently shared what he called the lowest point of his life during a podcast appearance.
Draymond Green Talks About Dealing With Public Scrutiny
On Friday, March 28, Green appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area’s “Dubs Talk” podcast. The conversation turned emotional when he was asked about hitting rock bottom. The 2017 NBA Defensive Player of the Year didn’t hold back.
“The bottom, I would have to say, for me personally, the bottom was last year,” Green said. “And the reason that was the bottom is basketball is one thing. You can talk about basketball all you want. I really don’t care.”
“I know what I bring to the basketball game. I know what I’m capable of. I know what’s going on. So that don’t really bother me. But last year, my character was under attack. Who I am as a human being was under attack.”
During the 2023-24 season, Green was involved in a couple of notable on-court incidents. First, he was suspended five games for putting Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a headlock. Later, he was suspended indefinitely for punching Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić.
Green was heavily criticized after both incidents. On the podcast, he noted that that kind of attention was especially painful because he sees himself as “a stand-up guy.”
“So, I would say that was the bottom,” Green said. “I couldn’t play the game that I love. I couldn’t play the game the way that I love. And by the way, ‘He’s beating his wife at home. He’s beating his kids because look what he does on a basketball court.’ That’s crazy … to have to live through that.”
Green said the court brings out his intensity, and off the court, he doesn’t act the same way.
“With help, I worked my way out of it. And I’m back from it. But that was rock bottom for me,” Green added.
This season, the 6-foot-6 veteran has toned things down and is in the mix for another DPOY award.