NBA Finals 2019: Draymond Green on his emotional approach to the game: 'I don't want to be Kawhi'

Benyam Kidane

NBA Finals 2019: Draymond Green on his emotional approach to the game: 'I don't want to be Kawhi' image

Draymond Green is the undoubted heartbeat of the Golden State Warriors, bringing energy and intensity on every possession, with his vocal leadership and passion.

It's the exact opposite approach of Toronto Raptors small forward Kawhi Leonard, who's quiet demeanour and even-keeled approach brings a level of calm even in the biggest moments.

Green and Leonard's ability to lift their teammates in different ways is what makes the NBA unique, according to the Warriors power forward.

"I don't want to be Kawhi and have Kawhi emotions," Green told reporters today.

"The way Kawhi goes about his game and his emotions ain't get me to where I am today, so no I don't aspire to be Kawhi and the way he emotionally approaches the game of basketball.

"That set of emotions hasn't worked for me. Any my emotions haven't worked for him. That's the unique thing about basketball, I think it's also one of the reasons fans can't really relate because you see one guy and it's like 'well if he acts this way and another guy acts this way that doesn't make sense to me,' well that's kind of the unique thing about the sport that we play."


The Warriors will need every bit of Green's intensity in Game 2 as they look to level the series at 1-1 before the series swings back to the Bay Area for Games 3 and 4. 

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.