Retired NBA sharpshooter Walt “The Wizard” Williams recently sat down with Overtime Heroics Senior Editor Reggie Roberts to delve into various NBA topics.
Among the highlights of their conversation were insights into the most surprising team this season, the potential NBA Finals collision course between Boston and Denver, and a sleeper playoff team that’s bound to turn heads. However, it was Williams’ candid remarks about Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green that caught our attention.
When asked what advice he’d offer Draymond Green if they were teammates, Williams didn’t mince words. He said that it’s time for action, not just talk. As a leader on the team, Green must conduct himself accordingly. His emotional outbursts have occasionally cast a shadow over the team’s success, and Williams believes it’s time for a change. Green’s value to the Warriors is undeniable, but his on-court behavior needs to reflect that importance.
Here’s the full conversation:
Interviewer: “And finally, what advice or counsel would you give to Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green if you were his teammate regarding his on-court conduct that has gotten him kicked out of games which consequently has hurt his team?”
Walt Williams: “At this point, the talking is over. He is one of the leaders on that team and he needs to start acting like one. He’s been responsible for a lot of the success they have had and he is an important member of that team. He’s been a tremendous player in the League for a long time and I hate it that his emotions and his actions have placed him and his team in a bad light at different points of the season. He’s too valuable to his team to let his emotions get the best of him.”
Draymond Green is infamous for his emotional play on the court, and he’s had a few notable outbursts over the years. In December 2023, Green was ejected and suspended indefinitely (later reduced to one game) for punching Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face.
This wasn’t the first time Green had been involved in on-court altercations. Green has been ejected from numerous games throughout his career for various reasons, including arguing with officials and technical fouls.
Draymond Green’s performance this season has been a bit of a mixed bag. Green is still a key facilitator for the Warriors, averaging around 6.5 assists and contributing to their defensive identity with steals and blocks.
His scoring average is down compared to previous seasons, sitting around 7.6 points per game. He’s battled some back soreness that caused him to miss time and may limit his minutes. Draymond had some impressive performances, like a recent 21-point, 11-assist game and a season-high night with 26 three-pointers made against the Lakers (although that was likely an outlier).
