Why Draymond believes OKC Thunder’s opponents aren’t afraid of them Originally aired on NBC Sports Bay Area
Before the Oklahoma City Thunder can become legitimate NBA title contenders, they need to work on things off the court.
On Tuesday’s episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” the Warriors forward pointed out what he believes is preventing the Thunder from establishing themselves as a legitimate team contending for a championship. .
Hint: It has everything to do with the physiological part of the game.
“One of the things that was a little concerning for me watching the OKC team was after the game,” Green told co-host and former Golden State guard Baron Davis. You have to win in this league, and to win you have to instill a certain amount of fear into your team. ”
The four-time NBA champions believe that a young, talented Thunder team that finished the 2023-24 NBA season in first place in the Western Conference, far from instilling fear, was doing the opposite, especially in front of the postgame cameras. I’m watching you.
“And I don’t know if they’re instilling that fear into the team with their postgame bromance or whatever,” Green added. “It’s like, ‘Brother, we’re all brothers and comrades.'” That’s cool, like.
“There’s a time and a place for it, but every time someone goes in for an interview, seven or eight guys are going to get picked. And those same seven or eight guys, right after the play, Josh Giddy. You’re taking pictures.”
Green himself has had plenty of fun both on and off the court throughout his illustrious career. While he’s not opposed to the Thunder doing so, the veteran forward made it clear that now is the time for Oklahoma City to make league history.
After all, if there’s anyone who knows what it takes to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy, it’s Green.
“Again, I’m all for having fun,” Green said. “It’s an 82-game season so you should enjoy it, but you also need to understand when people are looking at you and when your timing is so you can be successful as a team.
“And right now, I don’t think OKC understands, but the time is now for them. Their moment started last year. The regular season starts and the clock starts now. You’re no longer going through the draft. We are not just a team that grows.
“We’ve arrived. It’s time for you to take the next step. I’m not sure they fully understand everything that entails. They understand the play. [those] boys [are] special. They go out there and win. ”
Time will tell if superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the Thunder follow Green’s sound advice.
Download and follow the Dubs Talk podcast
