Latest news with #DraymondGreen
Yahoo
10 hours ago
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Draymond Green Doesn't Hold Back on LeBron James' Strong Statement
Draymond Green Doesn't Hold Back on LeBron James' Strong Statement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In youth sports, a broader conversation is underway, focusing on how sports are taught and organized for children and young adults. Advertisement There are concerns that many young professional athletes are feeling burned out after their youth was consumed by coaches, trainers and a regimented structure surrounding the sport, rather than enjoying the game in a more relaxed or less organized way. LeBron James chimed in on the matter during his podcast, "Mind the Game" with co-host Steve Nash and featured guest Luka Doncic. In summary, James believes young athletes are being forced to specialize by a lack of variety. The 40-year-old NBA superstar noted how he played football, ran track and participated in many sports as a kid. He felt that kids burn out from having such a singular focus, brought about by parents and coaches who steer them through high school, college and into the pros. In response, Draymond Green addressed the conversation with his point of view during his podcast on Monday, making a strong statement that the game is no longer a "poor man's game." Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (right) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James react in the first half at Arena.© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports "Where the game has gone, you need those resources in order to be successful (like a personal coach or trainer). I feel like basketball used to be a poor man's game. ... We had nothing and it was our way out. Basketball is not a poor kid's game no more. Basketball is a rich kid's game. The days of seeing LeBron James from Akron, Ohio, from a single mom. Those days are numbered. Because if you don't have the resources these days, you can't make didn't use to be that." Advertisement Green would continue to discuss how his upbringing in the sport differed significantly from that of today's youth. "I didn't learn how to do a proper individual workout until I got to college," said Green, noting how his unstructured play influenced his approach to basketball. "Growing up, I'm going to what we did, we hooped all day. I think there's a huge benefit to that because you learn to see the game. "It's different when someone (like a coach) tells you to play one position and to do this move," Green said, comparing participating in the game versus being coached as an individual. "How do you use your creativity?...How do you know what you're about? How do you know what your game is if you never tap into it and figure it out?" What spurred this conversation in the first place was that Doncic funded a study titled "Inside Youth Basketball 2025" which analyzed how young athletes find joy and learn the game in Europe and the United States. Advertisement Per Doncic's foundation's mission statement, they aim to "innovate new ways to help young people level up through play, creativity and wellness." Related: Draymond Green's Penalty History Nears $1M With NBA's Latest Action Related: LeBron James' Son Meets Former Lakers Coach Before Life-Changing Move This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
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Warriors Projected to Make 'Bold' 2025 NBA Draft Decision
Warriors Projected to Make 'Bold' 2025 NBA Draft Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Despite the fact that the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers are still competing in the NBA Finals, the rest of the league is in full offseason mode. Nothing quite proved that like the Desmond Bane blockbuster that just took place. Advertisement The Golden State Warriors are undoubtedly planning away methodically as well. They have certainly had more than enough time after their second-round exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves. One of the biggest dates on the offseason calendar will be the NBA Draft set for June 25th and 26th. The Warriors have are preparing to add to a team looking for another championship with Stephen Curry. The Warriors will not have a huge hand to play, possessing only the 41st overall pick in the draft via the Miami Heat. However, what they do with that pick will still be an important and calculated decision. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30).© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report offered a bold prediction for what the Warriors do with their 2025 draft pick. The NBA writer confidently believed in what Golden State's plans for the event should be. Advertisement "Finding a new starting center to help preserve Draymond Green should be a priority this summer, although the Warriors won't find one this late in the draft," Swartz mentioned off the top. The Bleacher Report writer continued: "This team lacks a backup point guard behind Stephen Curry and should be eyeing older college players who can step in immediately to the back end of the rotation. West Virginia senior point guard Javon Small could be an option as he averaged 18.6 points and 5.6 assists this past season." -Greg Swartz The Warriors do not currently have a proper point guard projected to be on the roster for the 2025-26 season past Curry. Adding a ready-made option to help run the offense in Golden State next season is more 'obvious' than it is 'bold.' Related: Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga Named 'Fallback Option' For Kevin Durant Suitor Related: Warriors Urged to Land 21.2 PPG Wing in 'Ambitious' Move This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
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Warriors Predicted to Go International in NBA Draft to Address Key Need
Warriors Predicted to Go International in NBA Draft to Address Key Need originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Golden State Warriors have a few pivotal roster holes that need to be filled before entering into next season. The NBA Draft will provide them with an excellent opportunity to address at least one of those needs. Advertisement The Warriors will not have a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. That was handed over to the Miami Heat as a part of the trade that brought Jimmy Butler to the Bay Area. Their draft fortunes will be heavily tied to what they do with their lone selection at 41st overall. There are certainly a number of avenues for them to explore. May 4, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) after a play during game seven of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Many have prognoses the Warriors to use pick number 41 to address the backup point guard position. A reliable presence off the bench would certainly help Golden State's offense next season. However, another standout need for the Warriors is the frontcourt. Running Draymond Green as the starting center moving forward will quickly wear out the aging star. Advertisement ESPN's most recent mock draft projected the Warriors to ensure that does not happen. ESPN had Golden State selecting Rocco Zikarsky out of the NBL with the 41st overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Zikarsky was once thought of as a potential lottery pick in the early-goings of the draft process for this season. However, an uneventful season, apart from injuries, led to his stock plummeting with the draft date in sight. Zikarsky played 20 games this past season. The Australian big man averaged 4.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 12.1 minutes per game. This potential selection would represent a gamble on the upside that was originally thought to be there with the 7-foot-4-inch giant. Not only that, but the Warriors would be counting on the injury problems to not persist. Advertisement It would ultimately be a high risk, high reward move for Golden State. Related: Warriors Projected to Make 'Bold' 2025 NBA Draft Decision Related: Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga Named 'Fallback Option' For Kevin Durant Suitor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
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Nick Young Faces Backlash From Fans For Controversial Tim Duncan, Spurs Comments
Nick Young Faces Backlash From Fans For Controversial Tim Duncan, Spurs Comments originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former USC Trojans star, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors fan favorite Nick Young played 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association, averaging 11.4 points per game while shooting 41.8% from the field. Advertisement Young was known as an up-and-down player with an unpredictable but fun loving personality who could shoot a team into, or out of, a game on any given night. On Thursday, Young shared comments on Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs' dynasty that had fans reacting in a strong way as many could not believe the audacity of what the man known as 'Swaggy P' said. Draymond Green (L) and Nick Young receive championship rings at Oralce Arena on April 5, 2019. © Kyle Terada-Imagn Images "Tim Duncan spurs was not a dynasty team," Young said on X Thursday morning in a message that appeared to catch fans off-guard. "Swaggy, log off," one media account said in response. "Log off my boy," another said. Advertisement "HOW TF DO NBA PLAYERS HAVE SUCH BAD another fan said. The backlash continued unabated as fans continued to take Young to task for his take, but not everyone disagreed with him. "They a dynasty bro but just not as dominant as people try to make it seem," another said. "Never won back to back titles." "You really get a kick out of being objectively wrong," another said. "Get some sleep Nick. You obviously tired," another added. "Nick, come now, Timmy is basketball royalty," another fan said. Popovich and Duncan's Spurs won NBA titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014. A few more fans chimed in with support for Young. Advertisement "He right. Can't consider yourself a dynasty with no repeats," another added. "Correct. Never defended a title," another said. "Maybe, maybe not. Find me another player with a better winning percentage over 19 years," another fan added. Related: Former Spurs Star Shares Heartfelt Gregg Popovich Story This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
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Eastern Conference Team Urged to Trade For Steph Curry's Warriors Teammate
Eastern Conference Team Urged to Trade For Steph Curry's Warriors Teammate originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Golden State Warriors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of this year's playoffs in five games. Advertisement Two-time MVP Steph Curry suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain in Game 1 and missed the rest of the series. The Warriors won Game 1 in Minnesota but lost the next four games without Curry. Golden State's core for next season is projected to be Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Jonathan Kuminga becomes a restricted free agent this offseason, so the Warriors control his future. As a restricted free agent, the Warriors can match any offer sheet Kuminga signs. The Chicago Bulls have been urged to pursue Jonathan Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images However, according to Anthony Slater and Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic, Kuminga and the Warriors are expected to explore sign-and-trade options this summer, and Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report believes the Chicago Bulls should make a push for Kuminga. Advertisement "At the very least, Kuminga's elite athleticism, self-creation and free-throw-drawing prowess could balance out some of Josh Giddey's deficiencies," Hughes wrote. "Since we have to assume the Bulls aren't going to tear their roster down any time soon, prioritizing players in their early 20s would at least offer some upside in their annual pursuit of 42 wins." Kuminga appeared in 47 games for the Warriors this season. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field, 30.5% from 3 and 66.8% from the foul line. Kuminga turns 23 in October. He has career averages of 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists Advertisement The Bulls haven't made the playoffs since 2022. They could use a talented young player like Kuminga. Related: Warriors Urged to Pair Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler With $112 Million Forward This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
