Green: Games ‘very boring,’ ‘no substance’
FROM WIRE REPORTS
NOTEBOOK
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green didn’t hold back when asked by a reporter Saturday whether he thinks the NBA game is boring.
“Absolutely,” was Green’s direct reply, per reporters.
The NBA still has plenty of interest, as evidenced by a new series of broadcast and streaming deals that will generate about three times more money than the previous deal. Attendance continues to increase to record-setting levels, and players demand and receive higher-than-ever salaries.
But questions persist about whether the on-court product has actually improved, with a steady shift towards higher scoring and a faster-paced game. And Green, speaking on All-Star Saturday in San Francisco, believes it has not.
The four-time NBA champion referenced an interview with the late Kobe Bryant in which he called the game “accidental basketball,” saying, “It’s all penetrate and pitch. You may make the shot, you may not.”
Bryant’s words resonate with Green, who said, “He couldn’t have been more right. … You want to be one of the teams that aren’t playing an accidental game. That’s the challenge.”
Green said it’s “refreshing” to go up against players like LeBron James who he considers “thinkers” who can find and exploit weaknesses on the opposing team rather than simply try to outrun them or shoot more 3s.
“Every possession is some type of chess move,” Green said of games like the recent matchup where Green’s Warriors lost to James’ Los Angeles Lakers 120-112. “You don’t get that today in the NBA, often. … You don’t just get that on a regular basis. It’s just who can run faster, who can hit more 3s, it’s no substance. I think it’s very boring.”
Green’s comments come at a time when former NBA players aren’t shy about saying the game was better during their careers, whether that is the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s or 2000s.
Wemby: Mavericks fans ‘hurting’ after Doncic trade to Lakers
OAKLAND – Victor Wembanyama said that while the Mavericks’ fanbase is still reeling from the franchise’s stunning decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Lakers, he believes Dallas can still contend for an NBA championship.
Like most around the league, the San Antonio big man known as Wemby was still processing the trade from two weeks ago, which saw five-time All-Star Doncic head to LA in exchange for forward Anthony Davis, who won a title with the Lakers in 2020.
“I’ve watched games of both the Lakers and Mavs ever since it happened,” Wembanyama told reporters in Oakland on the eve of the All-Star game in San Francisco.
“What really strikes me is how the Mavs’ fans are hurting, how they feel.
“It was a really strong emotion. But otherwise, I think the Mavs are still contenders. The Lakers are contenders. It’s very competitive. They traded for very good players.”
In addition to 25-year-old Doncic, the Lakers also acquired forward Maxi Kleber and center Markieff Morris in the deal.
The Mavericks received 31-year-old Davis, who is expected to miss multiple weeks with an adductor injury, guard Max Christie and a future first-round draft pick.
Guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and a future second-round pick were also sent to the Utah Jazz.
Some Maverick fans have loudly protested the bewildering trade of a generational talent, who led Dallas to the Finals last season.
“It’s interesting. We’ll see how it goes,” Wembanyama said “But two weeks after, it’s still the craziest trade I’ve ever seen.”
The Mavericks take a 30-26 record into the All-Star break, good for eighth place in the Western Conference, while the 32-30 Lakers are in fifth.
Reigning league MVP Nikola Jokic said the trade could end up being good for all involved but went out of his way to praise Doncic.
“I kind of think both teams win,” he told reporters.
“I think Luka is a generational player, generational talent. I’m not saying that AD is not.
“I’m just saying that Luka – have we see someone like him before? Who is affecting the game on so many levels, so many possessions? And he was building something there.”
Doncic was sidelined with injuries during the first half of the season, causing the sharpshooting guard to miss out on making the All-Star team this year.
Jokic, who hails from Serbia, said he will miss the Slovenian’s presence at All-Star weekend.
“It’s weird because we always have a good night before the game,” Jokic said.
