Golden State Warriors forward and four-time NBA champion Draymond Green has never been one to shy away from candid, thought-provoking commentary—and in our latest sit-down, he delivered exactly that. Touching on everything from MVP voting reform to the dynamic between players and referees, and even some praise for the San Antonio Spurs dynasty, Green spoke with his trademark intensity and insight.
On What He Would Change About the MVP Voting Process
When asked what he would alter if he had control over the MVP voting system, Green didn’t hesitate to critique the subjective nature of the award:
“These awards have such a huge bearing and carry a very huge weight in people’s eyes and unfortunately just being an opinion? It’s tough. Because opinions can be affected by anything. My opinion can be affected by just me saying ‘I don’t like you’.”
“It’s so opinion-based and the weight that these things carry in people’s lives not only today, but forever. Like, you could probably have your name etched in stone in NBA history; you know how incredible that is? And yet, it’s based on someone’s opinion, you know? So I think just if there was more of a criteria, that’s what I would change.”
His words reflect a broader conversation in the NBA community about transparency and fairness in award voting—especially given how heavily these accolades factor into legacies, contracts, and Hall of Fame consideration.
On the Player-Referee Relationship
The tension between NBA players and referees has been a recurring theme in recent seasons. Green, who’s had his fair share of interactions with officials, offered a vision for a more collaborative approach:
“They need to stop looking at it as ‘us vs them’, you know? I feel like they look at it that way and I feel that WE look at it that way.”
“At some point, you can understand that we all work together to put a great product out for the fans of this game, then we’ll all be on the same page. But I think until we get to that point there will always be tension.”
Green’s call for unity underscores a desire to shift the culture around officiating and communication in the league—something that could benefit both the product on the floor and the fans watching from home.
On Comparisons to the 2000s San Antonio Spurs
Green has seen his Warriors team evolve and adapt over the years, and with a mix of rising talent and seasoned vets, comparisons to dynasties like the 2000s San Antonio Spurs aren’t too far-fetched. When asked about the parallels, he spoke with reverence:
“I mean, that’s been the golden standard since 2000 in basketball with what Coach Pop being able to lead those guys with Timmy D, Tony Parker, Manu [Ginóbili], David Robinson was a part of it early and just what they were able to accomplish and then Kawhi [Leonard] coming in on the tail end of it.”
“So I think that everyone strives to be able to have THAT type of consistency and what you’re trying to build; you don’t see it often so if you can get into that space to be compared to those guys, that’s such INCREDIBLE company.”
Spoken like a true student of the game, Green’s appreciation for the Spurs’ sustained excellence is a reminder of what he—and every serious contender—is ultimately chasing.
