Draymond Green saw a Damian Lillard quote taken out of context, and made an Instagram post to talk about his feelings.
Draymond Green loves to run his mouth. It’s what leads to his high technical foul totals every season.
His antics were on full display when his Warriors faced off with Damian Lillard and the Blazers. He actively jawed at C.J. McCollum, probably because he made him look silly in Game One.
Now, the two in postgame said it was all in good fun. C.J. famously told him to “do some calf raises” after Green botched a dunk attempt.
With C.J. talking, I’d assume it was just part of the heat of battle. But with Green, I’m sure it was him getting overly-cocky, because that’s the kind of player Green is.
I preface all this because it leads to the trash talking continuing even after the season.
Draymond gets his news from notifications, starts beef
Damian Lillard, in a video posted by The Oregonian, talked about the recruitment of Carmelo Anthony:
"We can compete with anybody in the West, but I think when you get to those teams like Golden State, if we happen to run into them in a playoff situation now—we getting in the paint, and if they want to help off someone like Melo…good luck."
And this is where the story turns.
Taking the “good luck” out of context, Bleacher Report posted an article that misconstrued Lillard’s words.
The luck Lillard referred to was about teams, including Golden State, helping off Melo to stop a Dame or C.J. drive, which would leave Anthony open, and he’d make the opposition pay.
The playoff situation Lillard talks about is how Portland got swept by the Warriors last season, but with Melo, would be much better equipped to matchup.
But, Bleacher Report made the quote something it is not. Green did not pass up the opportunity to chime in.
Are we surprised that much Draymond felt the need to speak up? No. But it’s telling that Green took what he needed from a notification, rather than look into the article (and quote) himself.
With Green, who has technical foul totals of 10, 12 and 14 over the past three seasons, and who was suspended from the NBA Finals (!), I’m sure he’s always ready to chime in, no matter the context.
Even Lillard rebuked the bogus headline:
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 21, 2017
So Draymond got upset over something Damian Lillard never said because, well, he’s Draymond.
Next: Can the Blazers get Melo to buy in?
Maybe, just maybe, he’s on edge as Carmelo Anthony is getting recruited hard by Portland.
And maybe, just maybe, the whole article should be read first before we make Instagram posts. Just a suggestion.