Why Draymond purposely kept emotions in check for Klay’s return

Why Draymond purposely kept emotions in check for Klay’s return originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – On a night when emotions ran high on the Chase Center court and in the crowd, the Warriors’ most passionate player did a great job keeping his own feelings in check.

Draymond Green put together a typical scoreline that has come to define his brilliant and temperamental career – 11 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks – all while playing a pivotal role in the Warriors’ 120-117 win over Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.

It was Thompson’s first game back at Chase Center since leaving the Bay Area basketball dynasty that he helped build and signing a free-agent deal with the Mavericks.

The always popular Thompson was cheered wildly by the crowd while a pregame tribute video played on the scoreboard above the court — and the good feelings for the former Splash Brother continued throughout the night.

About the only person who didn’t get caught up in all the hoopla was Green.

“We just wanted to win the game,” Green said. “It wasn’t really about Klay. Obviously, with Klay coming back in here, we knew that he’d come in competitive, as he always has been. It wasn’t quite good enough today.

“We weren’t out there, ‘Aw man Klay’s in a different jersey.’ It is what it is. We had great years here. He’s over there trying to do something special, we’re here trying to do something special. Once you get in between those lines all that extra stuff goes out the window.”

Most of the talk leading up to the game was about the emotions that would be felt by Thompson and Stephen Curry. Those two, along with Green, were the cornerstones when the Dubs won four NBA titles in an eight-year span.

Green managed to avoid a lot of that chatter but couldn’t get away from it when the day finally came.

Even then, the Warriors’ four-time All-Star didn’t flinch.

“If I’m totally honest with you, I had zero emotions towards, ‘Aw this is Klay’s return,’ ” Green said. “I did some things to make sure I had zero emotions about it, but it…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-draymond-purposely-kept-emotions-083547177.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-11-13 08:35:00

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