Why Draymond Green disagrees with Charles Oakley’s opinion of his playing style originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Draymond Green sees and hears everything, even commentary from former NBA players.
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19-year NBA veteran Charles Oakley recently said Green’s style of play wouldn’t have worked in the 90s, citing the Warriors’ forward’s penchant for trash talking as something that would’ve been different in his era. (h/t basketball network)
Green first and foremost expressed the respect he has for Oakley, before offering a detailed response as to why he disagrees with the longtime enforcer’s opinion of him during a recent episode of “The Draymond Green Show.“
“Uncle Oak is my guy, so there will be no slander here. I got the utmost respect, Uncle Oak did it at the highest level at what he was in this league, and I respect that” Green said. So what I will say is this. I respect everything Uncle Oak said and his opinion is his opinion. I disagree with some of it, as in like Draymond’s style wouldn’t fit in the NBA in the 90s. And I disagree with that because my style of who Draymond Green is, I created my style.”
Green averaged 16.2 points per game in his senior season at Michigan State, serving as a dynamic scorer on one of the nation’s best teams. Upon arriving in the NBA as a second-round draft pick, Green had to reinvent himself to sustain his professional career. The Warriors forward explained how that adaptability would translate to any era, not just modern basketball.
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“I’m a basketball player, so I know how to adjust to different situations. When I came into this league, I was not who I am today. I created this guy, who I am today,” Green explained. “When I came in this league, I scored the basketball. That’s kind of who I was and how I got here. I also rebounded the basketball and passed the basketball, it’s kind of who I was and how I got here. Most importantly, I was a winner before I got here and after I got here.
“So, I became who I became while not quite being myself, which is why I love me and I’m so proud of me. Because I feel like if you task someone with becoming someone totally different than who they ever were, they may become serviceable NBA players but they usually don’t become potential Hall of Famers.”
Green also highlighted the difference in play between the 90s and today as being a key factor into why he disagrees with Oakley’s assessment.
“And so that’s why I’m so proud of me, because regardless of how I had to do it, I went and made it happen,” green said. “But by no means don’t make the mistake, I was never this player. I just happened to make this player great. So, I disagree with not being able to play in the 90s. The skill level wasn’t as high as it is today. They did not run up and down the court like we do today, the game was way slower.
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“Yeah, guys were bigger, and you can say guys are soft today but I’m sorry to tell you, Nikola Jokić ain’t soft. I’m sorry to tell you, [Victor Wembenyama] is a little skinny, but he ain’t soft. The game ain’t bruising like it used to be, but quite honestly we’re not allowed to do that. We’re not allowed to play the game as physical as they played it. Also, nobody wanted to see that s–t. So, the game kind of changed to increase the ratings of more basketball that people want to see. I respect and love the OGs but it’s different, the game is played totally different today.”
Green is a four-time NBA champion and a Defensive Player of the Year Award winner, with a Hall-of-Fame caliber resume that makes it difficult to envision a scenario where he wouldn’t be able to play in another era and find similar success.
Looks like Green and Oakley will have to respectfully agree to disagree on this one.
