Green winning in style
Warriors star boasts dominant wardrobe
Draymond Green al
TORONTO ways had his own style, a rare combination of swagger and substance that propelled him on this improbable path from Saginaw, Mich., to the NBA’s mountaintop.
But having a stylist, an actual human being who’s dedicated to his appearance, is another matter. By that unofficial measure of celebrity culture, the Golden State Warriors forward who spent these last few days stealing the fashion show during his first All-Star weekend made it abundantly clear he has officially arrived.
“His name is Victor Michel,” Green told USA TODAY Sports about the man behind his many
looks that were on display in Toronto. “I’ve actually known Vic since I was a rookie (in 2012). I met him out in LA. Just a cool dude, and we talked about (upping his style game) back then. But we always said, ‘The timing will be right, and when that time comes we’ll do something.’ So it’s kind of been, ‘What better time than now?’ So he’s been amazing.” Give that man a raise. Green’s play alone has been worthy of the increased spotlight, as the versatile big man is the league’s triple-double leader on a 48-4 Warriors team that is on pace to break the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ record for regular-season wins (72). Yet his profile — his personal brand, if you will — reached a new level during AllStar weekend by way of a wardrobe that was as loud and proud as the man himself.
The Shaft-meets-Michael-Jackson look he donned during the All- Star media circuit Friday set a strong tone for what was to come, with Green cloaked in black leather, zippers and even tasseled shoes as he spent about three hours conducting interviews with everyone from ESPN’s Rachel Nichols and Sirius XM NBA Radio to the Facebook Live folks who had him interacting directly with fans.
Later that night, he sported a Walt Frazier-worthy wool coat and fedora combo that was topped by the yellow fluorescent jacket he showcased after his appearance in the Skills Challenge a day later.
Green, who has gone from Michigan State to second-round pick (35th overall) to big-money star (he signed a five-year, $82 million extension in July), was as impactful with his wardrobe as he has been with the Warriors this season. And considering he played well enough to earn an inaugural invite to the All- Star Game — 14.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game while maintaining his status as one of the NBA’s best defenders — that’s no small statement.
Yet the best part about Green’s weekend, the thing that mattered so much more than the Project (NBA) Runway act that sparked so much chatter, was the fact that he relished every moment of what is always a chaotic scene while paying homage to those who helped him get to this point.
Two weeks after his mother, Mary Babers- Green, told him on live television that he was an AllStar for the first time, she piled into a minibus with more than 20 relatives and friends from his hometown of Saginaw to make the five-hour drive and share his experience.
“It’s been incredible to be rewarded,” Green said, “because it’s not just (what’s happening) now, it’s a life-long process that has gotten me to this point. And so I don’t take it for granted. I’m thankful to be in this position, because how many guys can say they’ve been an All- Star. I don’t take this for granted one bit. I’m thankful to be here.”
Even with an All-Star calendar that is always so chaotic for the players who are lucky enough to be here.
“Everybody says, ‘Oh man, your schedule is crazy,’ ” Green said. “I embrace that, because a lot of people — and I don’t say this in a cocky way — but a lot of people would love to have that, so who am I to take that for granted and complain about that. No, I’m thankful for it.”
It was a good look — in every way.