Green cracks back at critic
OAKLAND >> Draymond Green has never been one to hold back a rebuttal.
After Tuesday’s 99-91 seriesclinching Game 5 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, Green responded to TNT analyst Chris Webber’s notions that the Warriors’ forward wouldn’t start for any other team in the league.
“I don’t think he can find many GMs or coaches that would say I wouldn’t start on their team,” Green said. “I’m fine without scoring the ball.”
Webber’s comments came during the second quarter of Tuesday night’s telecast.
“This is the impact Draymond Green has,” Webber said. “Yes, if he was on other teams and expected to score, he may not be in the starting lineup on certain teams. But on this team, he’s one of their most valuable players.”
Throughout his career, Green has displayed a penchant for having an effect on games without scoring. In five seasons, he never has averaged more than 14 points per game, but has garnered All-NBA defensive honors three times, won two NBA championships, and defensive player of the year honors last season.
“I think I’ve created a new lane for guys in this league to where you don’t have to score 20 points to be an All-Star or be a starter in this league,” Green said.
“That’s fine and my jewelry fits well,” Green added, in reference to his championship rings. “So I’m doing pretty good. You know, much love to C-Webb, though, from Michigan. State of Michigan. You know, we good.”
• Green was midway through an answer about whether he was underrated, a topic that might normally have him yammering until the reporters were out of ink.
Not this time. The forward had a more pressing topic to address.
“I just want to send my love to Pop and his family, again,” Green said.
He meant Gregg Popovich, whose wife, Erin, died last week. Popovich missed the final three games of this first-round series. And when it was over, Green — as well as several other Warriors — addressed him directly, hoping to make a connection over the airwaves.
“Pop, if you’re watching out there, we love you,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who remains close to Popovich from their days in San Antonio. “Our whole team and coaching staff has been thinking about you every day.
“Your team reflected who you are tonight. They battled every step of the way, and that was a big-time fight. We’re lucky to get out of here.”
The condolences were just
part of an overall air of respect as this series came to a close. The Warriors, who advanced to face the New Orleans Pelicans in the Western Conference semifinals, repeatedly praised the Spurs for their discipline and effort.
“Definitely,’’ center JaVale McGee said. “I really appreciated the way they battled out there. They kind of hit us in the mouth like, ‘Wake up. It’s not going to be easy.’ “
Klay Thompson was asked about looking ahead to the Pelicans. He wound up looking back at the Spurs.
“I can’t imagine how hard it is to go out there and perform under those circumstances,” Thompson said, referring to Erin’s death. “Our hearts are
with them, and we have nothing but respect for that team. They play the right way, and they have great pride.”
• After the final horn, Kerr searched the court until he found Manu Ginobili.
It’s unclear whether the Spurs’ 40-year-old shooting guard will be back next season, so Kerr, who was once teammates with Ginobili in San Antonio, pulled him close just in case.
“It’s amazing to see him out there continuing to play with so much joy and passion,” Kerr said. “So I’m hoping that’s not his last game. I just told him I hope he keeps playing because he’s been just amazing for the league and fun to watch nightin and night-out.”