Draymond Green has not had the best run in the NBA Finals. Through four games he has managed to accumulate more personal fouls, 18, than points, 17.
However, there is a reason he is a Golden State Warriors legend. Although he isn’t playing well right now, he was an important player in the team’s three NBA championships in the 2010s.
Moreover, Green’s absence was arguably the biggest reason the Warriors blew a 3-1 lead to LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.
With all that in mind, from a historical perspective, Green has been key to the Warriors’ success. And part of the reason why is because he has consistently tried to do all the little, under-the-radar things that help his team win.
As it turns out, that’s not accidental. Green revealed this week that he modeled some of his game after another key role player who did the same: Boris Diaw.
“There was definitely some guys that I took things away from, and over the course of my career I still continue to watch and try to take things away from those guys,” Green said.
"I study Boris Diaw so much early on in my career. Just how he moved the ball, how he used DHOs (dribble handoffs). Moreso than a specific action, how he out-thought the opponent. Was very special to me.”
Diaw won a title with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014 and Most Improved Player in 2006 with the Phoenix Suns.
It’s fascinating that he is the player Green chose to model his game after.
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