Draymond Green, Game 7 Reactions and Conference Final Previews

Welcome a Point Game with John Wall and CJ TOLDONNOD presented by DraftKings. Don't forget. DraftKings is your home for all the action across the NBA and gets too close to the game. We all love. The crown is yours. On today's episode, we are joined by the fourth time NBA Champ, eight time All Defensive Team, two times Gold medalist, one of the best podcasters in the game, Draymond Green, is joining us on Point Game. But first, John Man, how you feeling.

I'm great, bro, Great, great to have a guy like Dremond on. I mean a lot of people don't respect him and understand what he brings to the game, what he does for his team, but it goes a long way. So it's great to have a brush line that that want to join our podcast and also has his own podcast, so it means a lot to us.

Yeah, he drops some incredible stories and insights, including a little bit of preview about what we're seeing here in the playoffs. But I wanted to talk about this past weekend because yesterday Sunday we had two games and I'm dying to hear what you thought your reaction. So let's start with it with the Big one Nuggets Timberwolves Game seven, the reigning champs. You know everyone, I think I feel like thought, we're gonna see the Nuggets. They just won

Well for me, that's why I always say, like a twenty point leading vide don't mean shit. Yeah you know what I mean, Like it was up thirty eight to fifty eight with like ten men's and forty seconds and fifty seconds ago in the third quarter. I mean, but Minnesota, like a young team and a lot of people, certainly one throughout the playoffs, but throughout just the season, they get rattled. I mean, they don't have nobody to calm

Well, let's talk a little bit about you said Ant didn't have a great game, and so I still feel like he added to this game, was a big part of it. Like he wasn't hitting his shots, he couldn't get it going offensively. But let's talk about what he did right, you know, and what his teammates did right to bring him back in this game and win it.

What I always tell people before, it's like being a point guard that can score, or just been a two guard that's a score. How can you impact the game in other ways when your SHOT's not falling Defensively, still being aggressive, making the right reads, getting a lot of sists, rebound the ball, and man did that for twenty four but he hit big timely shots. You feel me, Like the end of the third quarter he hit a step back three. He cut the lead from four to one. Then he

Well let's talk about the Nuggets too. I can't help but wonder if you have a Bruce Brown or a Jeff Green out there. I feel like people are like, they'll make it up, They're gonna have their young guys developed them over this year. Do you think having those or missing those guys kind of affect them in the long running this series?

Yeah, for sure. Like I said before, I think even though.

The tim Woods bench didn't score a lot of points, they got like twenty to twenty four minutes from Alexander Walker and from Nasried. Those are big fucking minutes, you know what I mean, When your guys need a break, those are big minutes. And you don't got to score. How can impact the game? I mean just making stops, doing extra stuff. Like I think the most minutes I think somebody from the Nuggets bench party got was like ten or eleven, you know, I mean, that's a big difference.

Yeah, and then Jamal Murray, I think, what right?

I think Reggie Jackson only played like five minutes, so he really didn't get a break. So you go back to what I'm say if I'm picking him up for court the whole game, and he had it going in the first half, then later on the second half, like get tell, those shots that was easy became tougher because he got a little bit more tired And that was the pressure that Tim Woods kept on him throughout the whole game and saying with yokis like Yoka is the hell of a fucking player.

We know Yoki, Yeah, but you can.

Tell like he played them in the whole second half and the shots that he was making early started to come a little bit short because he had to play so much on both ends of the floor.

Can we show some love to Kat too? Like I know we were talking about Kat was going to be a major factor. There was some you know, not not I don't want to say not smart, but like he wasn't doing that thing where he was driving sort of out of control, Like I felt like he was composed. He hit some big shots, came up defensively, like what was Kat doing that?

Hell, well just not even just cat.

Get shout out the cat, but sure, but Jadie mcdanie's too, right, Like he made big shots, like on that run, he was getting defensive stops, he was making corner threes, you know what I mean. Then he was getting like offic three rounds like Kevin Kat had big moments and you got to enjoy that. But like I always say, it's role players have to play well on the road in big games for you to win. They do it at home and you go to Indiana Series, what did they

He didn't have that.

But his guy stepped up when he needed them. And then when it came to be that guy and to make the big shots, to make the right plays, and man was there for that. So you gotta give a shout out just not the Cat and Jade mcday, but to their whole team yeah.

So well, we'll talk a little bit a bit about it later about this MAVs and Timberwolves matchup, like two I don't want to say youngest teams, but two teams we didn't think we're gonna be there. And you know, the Kyrie and Luca backcourt versus you know, and older Conley and a newer guy. What do you think it's

They match up will I mean, it's a great matchup.

But like Colley's I always say he's one of the most underrated point guards of all time to me because he just does his job, run his team, make big shots, doesn't turn the ball over. I loved him when he was with Memphis, I mean, with Marca Saul and Tony Allen and Zat Randolph and all those guys.

But now it's Jaden Mdane's and man versus Kyrie and Luca. You know what I mean?

Because those two are two Dogs and Tim Wolves, and you got to lock up those two guys. And I know that he was one a Series three one in the regular season, but they didn't have j Washington, didn't have Daniel Gafford in those guys are playing at a high level. So it's gonna be exciting to see for me, Like, I'm definitely trying to go to a game, got to see what's going on. Yeah, I don't know, it's like this because I love the way Man is right now. Bro,

Yep.

I mean, like he's locking up, he's taking all the tough coverages. Yeah, and he's making big shots and scoring the ball over the end like that nobody expected. So shout out to Derick Jones, man, Like, I feel like it's gonna be a citing serious because he's gonna challenge it man, you know what I mean? And man gonna challenge him. So I'm ready to see that series.

How much I've seen writers talking about the naivete or like almost the delusion, you know, and it's about he's twenty two, He's about to play some guys, you know Kyrie who he probably watched as a kid in and idolized. But he's just like, I don't care almost how much do you think that helps him? Is that like a superpower of his that he doesn't care who's about to play?

Bro? Yes, look at it? Who is his favorite player? Kevin Durant?

Yeah?

How do he go with Kevin Durant and the first round?

Yeah?

You know what I mean?

Like he said, it's like it's cool, bro, Like you can idolize whoever. You can monitor a game after somebody and think a certain person that go. But when it's my time, it's my time. And that's how a man feel, Like I love Kevin Durant. Go all to respect with Kevin Durant. That's what I looked up to. But it's my time. Yeah, And he's not backing down. Some people get in that moment where they idolize somebody and see that person, they don't go at them the same way

That's dope. Okay. I wanted to talk about Game seven Knicks Pacers, which I think was a shock to a lot of people. Everyone was high on the Knicks. No shot for.

You, No no shot at all. That reason. Why no shot because.

I knew Josh R was hurt with a dominant train, and I'd give him all the respect of most respect because I know how I feel to play through that, you know. I mean, like I had that injury when I played against the Nuggets. After I dunked the ball, I had the rest of the game and I couldn't move the way I wanted to, you know what I mean.

Leg to move.

So I just think the injuries wore him down or they didn't get the same impact from the players they wanted, and the patience came out being aggressive. But the main thing was Halliburd bro. Yeah, when he come out aggressive, they're a different team. When he come out past him and not looking to score, they'd be a different team. But said the tone though, numby being there before being in the game seven on the road or at home. He came out letting him know, like we can win here.

You uh, you know what, here's my thought. You know, I feel like people are I don't want to add onto the pile one of the Knicks fans, and I know I have a lot of Knicks friends or fan friends, and everyone's excited. But the window isn't as big as I think everyone is describing. You know, we had the Sixers team that came in not healthy. They didn't win.

You know, the.

Pacers knocked on the Bucks, and the Pacers are a newer team to the playoffs again and they beat them. And I think that the Knicks there is an issue here about Tibbs playing seven guys over plans to these guys Josh Hart, you said, was her og interviews her. I do think that there wasn't this like almost like being able to conserve his roster a little bit better for these longer series. So and and we again we've

So I think it'd be interesting.

But I think, I mean, I know the Celtics were your pick from the middle of.

I'm just saying because they've been there before.

I watched him play in the finals against the Warriors two years ago with a two year ago yeah, two years ago. Yeah, yeah, So I know they got the pieces to do it, and I know they like they made the trade to get Drawiday. Somebody's been there before, they can keep them settle.

Uh. I just think it's like what all Present has been there now it has to be great for them. Yeah, you know what I mean, because.

Before he was the back of the row where he didn't have to be special, just come in and spot mens and do his job, and I think he has to.

Be special for them.

But at the same time, it's if Jalen Brunton gave you fits for seven games, right, you have Tatum and Brown is gonna give you fits.

Now It's not just one player, you know.

I mean, it's multiple guys that can go get forty or fifty any moments.

So I think it'd be a siting. I think it's gonna be fun.

But I feel like for them holding Preziingers back the first two games, I think the Celtis feel comfortable, yeah, because if not, you would have bought Brazilians back. Now we had a lot of time off, he's been resting, and I think if you can hold him out a little bit longer and wait to the finals to have him if you get there, and that's better for them. That's how I look at it. For them, they're looking at the bigger picture because if not, they lose game one.

Just save you now. He can be conservative.

Now if the such to lose game one, you don't know, Brazilians might pop out that game too. Hold on now. So we'll see though. But I'm really excited for the MAVs and t Wolves here though.

Yeah.

Well conference finals are here. It's gonna be dope. One last question before we go to break. Some video came out. You were up at euybl and your AAU team was playing up in Indianapolis and you met the new Kentucky coach Mark Pope. Just want to get you know a little bit. What was the exchange you guys had and how was that meeting?

It shocked me because I just went to you know, I was going, like I said, I was going to watch games, and uh he was right there. So he dapped somebody up and instead of like what's something, I'm like, what's up? I said? H. I said, all respect, all respect to you, wish you the best of look there, and I'm always gonna support the school, I mean, no matter what. Like I love coach Kyle, you know, I mean I've seen Cayl when I was down to also

I'm gonna get you all the gear that's coming through. And I was like, that's cool.

I respect it, but just just to see him bitterlytionship with him, get to know him a little bit and try to figure out how you got things going and what path he's going with you.

I mean.

So it was all love and respect and we dap each other up. Then I went to another game later on after I got some ful. He was like, are you following me everywhere? I'm like, no, you're probably looking at the star player the same way I want to see the star player play. So it was exciting just to get a little chemistry and better relationship with him.

That's dope. I saw people yelling, big balloon. It's just cool, my.

Because you gotta you know, you know, Kentucky's right there right in the enda's not too far from Kentucky. So, like I said, walking through and meeting people and seeing people, it was so many Kentucky fans there.

That's awesome. All right, Well, we're gonna hit break here. We're gonna have Draymond Green joining us next on Point Game percent by Draft Kings.

We'll be right back.

Welcome back to Point Game with John Wall and CJ Toldonnald percent it by DraftKings. We are so excited right now to welcome for time NBA All Star, four time NBA Champion forward for the Golden State Warriors, Ladies and gentlemen, Draymond Green on Point Game. What up, Draymond?

What's up? Fellas? How y'all doing?

Man?

I appreciate y'all having me appreciate it. Hey, you forgot me.

He had two time gold meda Olympics and one Defensive Player of the year. So don't forget this.

I only got so much.

You got to do that, and and broadcasting appreciate it. Jay got to give him that. That's my most important job these days, broadcasting.

Well, I was gonna actually start off the interview by saying, I mean, we just saw you on TV a few hours ago doing Inside, and you got the podcast that's killing You're killing it off the court right now, and it's you know, one of the first years of you not in the postseason. So I just wanted to see how you're feeling about that, Like you've been able to just sit back and kind of like analyze these whole playoffs, and I want to know how that feels to do for the first time.

You know what, it's been a different experience watching the playoffs from the beginning, essentially without a dog in the fight, you know, you know, you're not watching it for you know, what could be a matchup later in the series or you know, scouting teams, kind of just watching it as a fan, you know, and breaking down the game obviously on the podcast and doing Inside last night. But it's

It's no fun sitting over here on the sideline and.

Watching, yeah, for sure, Like basically speaking on that, like what do you think you and your warriors got to do to get back to that deep playoff run?

You know me?

Because when you're so used to seeing y'all in the playoffs and you see y'all out early, it's like we don't expect it at all, you know, I mean, because I know that's what you're used to. And like you said, we're definitely embracing the time to be around your family and go to turin events you missed. But I know you who the dog you are. You want to be in the playoffs. You want to be competing for a championship one percent.

Jay Waller.

Honestly, I think it's just my way in my mind of trying to tell myself, I'm okay, you know, trying to like trying to fool myself into believing like, yo, I'm good, Like it's cool. But the reality is, I think, uh, you know, like when I really take a step back and look at it, like from an honest advantage point, like I gotta play, like I gotta be out there. I played fifty five games this year, which is not nearly enough to help this team be successful. I played

Twenty seven games, Uh yeah, I think that's the man.

If I don't miss twenty seven games, say we win half of those games, you know, half of the twenty seven I missed, all of a sudden, we're a fifty plus win team, you know, and it's a totally different ball game. And so I think for me, it's just understanding the stakes, understanding you know, where where my growth need to be in and being available for my team so that I know we're not dropping games that we're

I think we could be right back there. Yeah, I think right on the nose.

Just because you said, like you're the leader, you know what I mean, you the voice of that team, the dog he brings to that team. You just get them. A lot of players that don't have that if the other if that they wish they had. And you could tell when you're not there, it's a big difference. And you know you probably heard your whole crib people say, well Dremond not did goodies not that good. It doesn't matter. I impact the game in so many ways. I don't

Absolutely, and honestly, if when I'm sitting at home watching like I could feel it. You know, I'm not an idiot, Like I'm not crazy, so you know, to sit there and watch it like that shit burned me up, man like, because I know, you know, I see certain things and I'm like, man like, I should have been right there, like and I know I would have been there to cut that off, like, oh man, this guy just went for forty. Although that's not my match up, per se,

It shouldn't be.

You know, if we miss I think, you know, especially for what I do on both ends of the floor, obviously for what I do on the defensive end of the floor, but also being a playmaker on the floor for our offense. Like I can sit there and watch it and I know, you know, if STEP's not out there, if play's not out there, it's a different team, you know,

And making sure I do the things I have to do to correct that.

For sure, Yeah, dream on it. It is a big what if and I love what you said about if you had played in the games that you miss you would have won at least half of those, right, And so just getting you guys in the postseason, I feel like it resets, like your record doesn't matter. You guys

You know what, when I sit back and that's well number one, that's one of the reasons you want to try to avoid the play in. Like we've been in the player now a couple of times. We fell misserable each time, and you know, and just understanding like that college type vibe where listen, you got one game and you need everything to go right in that game because the best team isn't always going to win that one game, which is what makes the NBA playoffs so special.

It's like usually over the course of a.

Seven game series, more often than not, the better team is going to win the series. Over the course of a seven game series. And when you get into the play in situation, if you're nine to ten and you got one game and need to win to get a second one. If you're the seven eight, you got two games, but it's just it's no guaranteed you're gonna shoot well, Like, it's too many variables going into it that at this level we're no longer accustomed to. You know, you're not

But then also.

Understanding for us that if we get in the playoffs, there's anyone that wants to face us.

Like if you are.

One seed a two seed, you do all of this work all year and then you gotta face us in the first round. Nobody want to fucking do that. You know, it was like Miami this year, Like Boston does all this work all year and then you face Miami heat in the first round. Now, granted, Jimmy Butler was hurt kind of changes the series a ton, but psychologically what that can do to you. And so I know that for us to get in, just get in, give ourselves

The first round like I and.

And we want a championship, you know, And that's just like giving ourselves a chance to actually do it and look at the outcome. And so I think for us, the mindset just have to be to get there and not get there through the play and make sure we have a good enough season where we're in that top six. And then once you in the top six, injuries happen, anything happening from there, it's just the roll of the shake of the dice tracks.

So you, out of all people, know what it takes to win the finals and be a champion. What team you watch so far in the playoff you think got the opportunity and got the keys to win the outside of the Nuggets, because you know they won it last year. If you see any other team other than the Demos, the one team you really see that got what it is, it takes man.

Honestly, the team that I love right now is Dallas. And the reason I love Dallas is they have every piece that you need in order to win win the championship. They got wing defenders, they got big men and a couple of big men that they can rotate. Dwight Potle doesn't even play. Dwight Potle is a very service super big man in the NBA does not see the court, you know. When so when you look at a the depth that they have, you know, you got Josh Green

You know?

And I think that's the next step for Luca and I know he's more than capable of that because he's able.

To do that in spurts. So now how much longer can you put that together?

And then also I think the leadership of Kyrie, man, Like, nobody want to get that man this credit because all the things that he'd been through, the leadership of Kyrie has been stellar.

Man.

And when you.

Watch the growth of a young guy like Kyrie who thought he was a leader, fell miserably as a leader, then come out and say I failed. I know why, and you see him make the corrections, like you can only respect that. So I think that team is poised for a run. They got it right there in front of him.

Yep.

Yeah, speaking on Kyrie because I feel like, you know, so many people were him like he's done, he's washed. Like even I'm a Lakers famby boy, like we don't need Kyrie, the Kyrie of Old's Gune and he's obviously come back here. What do you attribute Kyrie? You know, feeling like he's fitting in. He's probably gonna be in Dallas for a minute now, Like, what do you attribute that?

That too?

Number one, the growth of Kyrie. You know, everybody wants to take credit for a guy when they do well. No one wants to take the blame for a guy when they're failing. And so number one, the growth of Kyrie, the structure of his life. You know, when you take a step back and you look at Kyrie's life. And by the way, we don't know his life. I'm not going to sit here and try to act like through a TV screen we know his life. But you get a good sense of what someone's life is just by

It at times.

Now, I've never been Luka Donci's I've never had that responsibility as a as an NBA player, so I can imagine it has to be some of that, right, Like, in order to be one of those guys, you gotta press the issue a little bit.

So I get it.

But when you have a guy like Kyrie, Irvis sometimes you don't have to press the issue. You can just get off of it. And a lot of times when you see stuff like that, gods dropped their heads, god slump their shoulders walking back, they're bickering each other.

You never, ever, ever, no matter.

The situation, see that from Kyrie. Ever, whether it's toward Luka Doncis, whether it's tour Tim Hardaway, whether Derek Jones, Julian don't make the extra swing swing to Kyrie. You never see Kyrie drop his shoulders or anything. They miss the shot, they could turn the ball over. He's like, Yo, come on, let's go, Let's get back. Like his demeanor and attitude is what I think is really carrying his team.

Yeah, it was a lot of teams.

Lakers included a lot of teams saying, ah, man, we don't need Kyrie no more. And you see what he's going to Dallas and doing. Then, Also credit to Nico Harrison. I think it's very important that they gave Kyrie a safe space to beat Kyrie. They didn't ask Kyrie. You know, I had Mark Cuban on my show a couple of months ago. They didn't ask Kyrie to come in there and be somebody different than who Kyrie is.

And they took the time.

Nico obviously been building that relationship for a long time through Nike, but they've taken the time to get to know the man. And when you take the time to get to know the man, you're seeing the product of that on the court. And I think it's some beautiful thing.

Yeah, you can tell you he said. He said, I feel like I'm at home. You feel like he had peace. He don't have to worry about trying to fake it to be somebody he's not. And that's the biggest kid, He's going to be yourself. And also he say he's learned, He's learned so much from being lebron in the past and going to the finals and winning and losing, then going to Boston and things don't go the way he wanted. Like you said, a lot of people say, oh, he don't have it no more. Do you know who Kyrie

Absolutely. I think what he's doing on the defensive end is is uh. It's also set in the tone because you see him trying to check whoever it is that he needs to check. He pressuring, He pressuring J dubb and how court J douv six eight, fast, big body, Kyrie preshing this man at half court. That sets the tone for the team. Then guess what you see him pressure? Then J dob get to switch on Luca Lucas sit down for us a tough shot like that. Stuff is contagious, man,

Man. So man, I give a lot of credit to Kyrie.

Man, Like I said, we all you know, everybody want to throw stones when they get the opportunity to throw the stones. But the love don't be like that. Man, shit, the love gonna be like that from this way because I respect and love to see what he's doing. Man, it's incredible to watch for sure.

So you definitely embrace this podcast platform. What do you see next to yourself in his space? You know a lot of players sometime we wait till he done plan to do it? You said, fuck it, I'm doing a wind plan and a lot of people don't have the courage in it nots to do that. They might be a little scared.

Well, you know what number one I think for me, when I first started. It was my first year was the year that we won the championship, and all year people like, man, why you doing a podcast? Like you're playing you're playing these games, then you more focused on your podcast. You shouldn't be doing that, while they let them do the podcast, stay off the microphone, nobody want to hear you, blah blah blah. And then we go win the championship and now all of a sudden, it's

I love how.

Athletes has taken their their own media boy storm. They're telling their own stories, They're creating their own narratives and not really creating a narrative from the standpoint of what we see in the media today, but controlling the narrative I think would be a better way of saying it, you know, and controlling our own narratives, not getting giving other people the opportunity to control what it is that's said on my name, Like no, you can go straight

Man, Like I think, you know, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

And with athletes and their own podcasts and you know, how the podcast space is working, and I think that will continue to grow when you look at all the platforms and the smart people that we have building these platforms and these outlets for us to take advantage of.

Okay, Draymond's staying on your story, man, I think you know someone that's on the internet and interesting conversation. They were like if an alien landing on the planet, and they asked what Draymond Green Green's game was, Like how

Level, you know what. I think, it's just kind of the evolution of time, you know, at the evolution of my game, because you know, I always me and Travis we always travels has trained me every year since I've been in the NBA. So we've been at it for twelve years. And one of my closest friends og at Michigan State, and we've been together and we continue to grow from a business aspect, but we oftentimes sit and

And so for me, all right, let me.

Identify this situation now, because this is a different situation, this is a different team.

What role do I need to play? Right?

What a role that I need to play is I need to go back to doing all of those little things I need to make sure I'm getting these guys shots, both from passing the ball, screen and doing everything that I can to put these three guys in the best position that they want to be in where they like to score the basketball.

That's my role. Let me take that on, all right.

So then as that becomes a thing, now you're no longer looked at as you can score the basketball. Right, so now I'm strictly just looked at as he can play mate and he can defend. No longer looked at as oh, we can go to him to get a bucket, we can run this set and get him in some action so that he can get That's no longer the case for me. And so then that kind of becomes who you are. And so then that's what it became for me. And I've never cared to go to Steve like, oh, coach,

And so I was able to make that adjustment. But I used to score the basketball.

And I think you know that, you know, as everybody always say, like you don't have to score, Like I'm be honest, you gotta be a score the basketball. You just you gotta be up score.

So I read a few artists were emphasize and talk about understanding the business, where as a business of basketball taught you.

Man, you know what Number one, you can't have feelings in business.

Uh.

You know when when you're dealing with this business of basketball, man, it is for a lot of us, we grow up just playing it because we love it, and then we see a means to get out, you know, and it's like when you see the means to get out, you're like Oh, that's my way out of Saginaw, Michigan. Like, that's my way out of Raleigh, North Carolina. The way

Nobody taught us that.

Nobody taught us until Rich Paul that the guy has an agent. And by the way, it can be somebody that looked like you. Nobody taught us that. You know what they taught us, Hey man, you gotta go be the talent, you gotta go play. You gotta break your body down in order to make a better living for yourself. You know what we all say. Okay, I'm going to do it right, and I'm very thankful to be in a position.

That I'm in.

But when speaking of the business of basketball, the first thing that it taught me was no feelings are allowed here like there is. You know, if you're going to have some sense of loyalty, have that sense of loyalty because that's how you feel because that's what you want to have, not because you think someone is going to have a sense of loyalty to you.

That's not the case, right Like, I am loyal.

Of to the go to say Warriors organization because I want to be loyal to the go to say organization because I love the organization myself personally, not because I think they owe me loyalty back now and the loyalty that I've given them.

They've always shown me.

That loyalty, and I have no reason to believe that they're not going to show me that loyalty.

But by no means do they owe me that loyalty.

And I think a lot of times we as athletes tend to feel like they owe me this because I've done X. I'm old that and it's a recipe for disaster. You're setting yourself up for failure. You're setting yourself up for your ego to get crushed in for your feelings to get hurt. And so for me, I quickly had to learn the number one ruling this thing is there's

You know.

And then I think the last thing that the business of basketball taught me in lameless terms, is.

It taught me big business. Like the game of basketball. The NBA is business at its highest form. When you look at I always talk about in the NBA, everyone is operating at an ealy level, like yeah, you see, you see us on the basketball court and we're playing at an ealy level. But what you don't see is Eric Housen, who's our equipment manager, who manages our flights, hotels, travel, anything you need from him, all our gear, food, drinks, like you name it, anything we need. What you don't

Man.

When you see these comport companies operating at an elite level, that ain't just because Elon Muskins operating at an early level. That's because everybody beneath Elon Musk is operating at an elite level. And I think, you know, just being in the business of basketball as long as I've been in it, and being in it every day and actually trying to submerse myself in it so that I know and understanding and know the intricate details and the ins and outs.

Man, it's big business.

And and oftentimes we fall into like looking at it like, oh, it's just a game, like you fall into that it's just a game if you want to. This is big business and these these people are operating as such. And when you go in trying to operate like this ain't a big deal, setting yourself up for a disaster and you get your feelings and your ego hurd.

Fasts Draymon, It's it's incredible. I got fired up listening to that because it's incredible to hear the grasp of you have on the business side of it, and how much you know, when your career is all said and done, how much do you want to maybe even go and be in the front office of an I mean organization and apply what you've learned in the business aspect where you've applied from, you know, being an incredibly successful Warriors team, Like do you imagine yourself maybe going that going back

You know what, I love the Detroit Pistons because they're from the state of Michigan. The love that Joe dumar showed me in coming up him and Jordan Dumars and you know, the access that they gave me to see in the NBA organization operate to be around NBA players like Rip and take Shine and Big Bend and she like that access for me as a kid from Saginaw was like, oh wow, I'm like these like I could be like these dudes. They are like me, you know, like all right, like this is a life I can attain.

Like that to me was special.

So I always have love for the Detroit Pistons, man, but my loyalty and love is the Golden State Warriors. I never sit back and look at it like, man, the Detroit Pistons is my home team.

My home team is the Golden State Warriors.

Like that's the organization for me that in my life that has had the most impact on my life. That's the organization for me that has shown me the most love, you know, And I think you know, so oftentimes we get caught up in like yo, I need to go back home, like I'm at home, Like I'm like that

You know, the Detroit Pistons.

As much as it is that I grew up in the state of Michigan, the Detroit Pistons isn't a part of my legacy at all outside of what Joe Dumars and those guys taught me. Other than that, what's a part of my legacy and what's home for me is to go to State Warriors. So if I had the chance of opportunity to give to an organization, that's the organization that I would want to give to.

Now. Again, I do understand that this is big.

Business and they may not always have me, and guess what, they don't owe me a goddamn thing, And I don't feel like they owe me anything.

But that's what I want to give to now.

When I take a second step back and I look at whether it's front office, whether it's coaching.

If I'm honest with you, I have zero interest in either one of them right now.

And the reason that I don't have any interest in either one of them is because I've been on the basketball schedule my entire life, man like, and the reality is as special as it is. You miss so much like you miss Like I missed my son taking this first step, Like I saw that shit on the camera, like.

You know, and that's seven years ago. I have, I got three other.

Kids on top of him, but like I missed him taking his first step, like you just missed so much. And by the way, I just mentioned my son. You miss weddings, like everybody don't have their wedding in the summer, you know when we're off. Like you miss weddings, you miss birthdays, you miss Christmases. Man, This Christmas was the first Christmas in eleven years that I've been at home. Now I mean at home for the entire day.

Guess what.

I was only at home because I was suspended. But it's the first Christmas in eleven years that I didn't step foot into an NBA arena. Like you missed so many things and so I'm just not sure i'd want to be that I'd want to be on a basketball schedule,

That means the world to me, because that means.

The man that owned the organization that I play for is watching me play basketball and saying, this guy.

Can one day coach my team. Like, man, these these this again big business. These assets are not small.

Man.

Like, if you're gonna you're gonna trust somebody to coach your team, that's not small. That's not a small thing. That's a big fucking deal. And so to have to know that you have that type of support and like the owner of the organization that I play for is watching me and saying he can one day coach this or man, Steve curR is my coach. Like the guy who's been coaching in this organization for the last eleven years, ten year is Steve Kerr.

He's a Hall of Fame coach.

You're watching him and saying, I think that can one day be draymnd. That's insanity to me, and so I'm very thankful that people look at me in that light. But as I am in year twelve of my career, I say right now, and everything changes as time going on, So I would never say never. But where I stand right now in year twelve of my career headed into year thirteen, I'm not sure I want to be on the basketball.

Scha Yeah, You've been in a long time and you always in a fight, is always in the playoffs.

Like you said, you don't get no break. People don't understand you don't get no break.

Right Luckily me out I had told my achilles that year somebody saying I got this year steps, But if it won't for the injuries, I would have never seen those first steps, like you don't get this those times back, You don't get that moment back, and being able to watch it from a camera, you like, damn, I wish I was there for that, or even the first day take them to school.

Sometimes we don't be there. We might be a training camp or mini camp somewhere.

And look at that Jay Wall. You said, Man, luckily I got hurt. I tore my achilles and I was able to see my son walk. Listen to that, Yeah, luckily I tore my achilles. One of the worst injuries that you can go through. Like, I don't know the pain I knock on wood. I never wanted to.

Be a pain.

But guess what this man just said.

Luckily I tore my achilles and I was able to see my son take his first step.

Do you know how fucked up that is?

Like?

And this is what we do. And by the way, again, I don't take it for granted. I'm very lucky and thankful be in a position that I'm in, But it also sucks sometimes when people act like we don't deal with real shit, you know, like not being able to see my son take his first steps. That's real shit, Like that is a sacrifice that when people sit back and throw stones, they ain't willing to make that sacrifice. But you can sit back and throw a dart at

That, I might not even want to go to shoot around it in fact, to shoot around at ten o'clock, that's before the game.

You gotta go to shoot around.

There, you there from nine to twelve thirty.

Like, by the way, be back here at three thirty four o'clock, like the sacrifices man.

And when you just said that, that took me back.

I was lucky to tear my achilles so I could see my son first step. That's what we go through as athletes. And listen, it's great. The money we make is great. Playing basketball for a living is great, but just like everything else, it has its negatives as well.

Sure, Dram and I have one more question here. You know, on the record, everyone knows that you and Lebron are pretty close friends. You know, you guys are getting in the twilight of your career, a few more years left, and I wanted to know the possibil the ever of you guys teaming up.

Honestly, I don't know if you know. I love Brin. I love Bron to death. That's my brother, and you know the relationship that we have and what it's grown to I don't I cherish, you know, my my kids see him uncle Bron is Uncle Bron, Like I never take any of my brothers in my life for granted.

Like I'm always thankful.

I am a relationships guy, like I love building relationships. I love like that component of life. And I cherish people. And you know, I don't take people for granted. You know, people earn't an item to me, you know, like I love people and I'm so thankful for the relationship that we have.

I think it's a very special thing.

I think, you know, when I take a step back and look at my life, something that I would have been like, especially in those early years in the finals, like yo, that's gonna be my brother and we're gonna be like this, Like I would have never thought that and saying that, as I've said before, unless Broun come into Golden State, I don't really see that happening.

Uh.

You know, for me personally, if the Warriors will have me until.

I'm done and I tie my shoe strings in then out and talk them things about the telephone wire.

That's where I'll be.

You know, It's nothing else And looking around the NBA that excites me more than doing all that I can to try to win another championship with the team that I've won for championships with, with the guys that I've won for championship with, uh, you know, Stephan Clay like there. I never look around the league and be like, hmm, I think I'll be great Like fuck that, man, I can be great right here. I can do what I need to do for us to win another championship. And

It's where I'll be.

Amazing.

Johnny got anything else that's good, Man, Draymond. I appreciate you coming on point game, man. I know you're busy, enjoy the off season, and thanks again.

No doubt, thanks for having me man. I appreciate y'all.

Jay Wall I've been enjoying watching you transition to this next chapter of your life, checking out your podcast, man,

You was. You was a standard for a lot of guys that ain't changed.

And although people try to cast you out, try to throw you out when they feel like they don't.

Lose you no more.

I just want you to know, as one of your peers, the utmost respectful what you've brought to this game. And I love to watch what you're doing in the podcast space. It's beautiful to see.

Bro appreciate that dreamt.

Yeah, when everybody need any advice on this, I'm definitely gonna heit you, but definitely appreciate that Bro.

No doubt Bro's dog always.

Bro. Yes, we could have played the NFL.

Bro We're not saying we would have been aut but we're not saying we would have been Pro Bowls, the Hall of Famers. We could have played. You got such j I'll be telling us. You got like some football players they played in high school. I didn't know they fucking played till you go on YouTube. They bring out a highlight tape of them, Like, I don't know. It's like, but if they put the work in we put into basketball like they've been in football, we.

Don't know what we could have been exactly.

And that's my thing is So I think number one, like, I disagree with what Austin said in the sense which is he said I can take thirty to forty guys right now and put them in the NFL.

That's a lot because the learning curbage too steep.

The type of training that your body needs to withstand the NFL is totally different than we've had over the last ten years. And so I am not of the belief that any of us right now today could then just jump to the NFL.

However, I am of the belief that.

If we as NBA players, a lot of us trained to go to the NFL we very much so would have done that, like because in the NFL, like most of those guys were basketball players that weren't good enough like that, weren't skilled enough, that was probably strongest shit or fastest shit, but couldn't quite shoot, or was probably fast not quite big enough, or he was a six ' four center. And you know my og Lamar Woodley like

But he was a six to three center.

He averaged twenty eighteen because he's moving niggas at d N went the University of Michigan, but he was six y three center, like and.

So he went to play football. Loved basketball his whole life.

I want to play football, why because I'm gonna take this athleticism and make some money some type of way.

In that six to three center, it ain't working for me.

And so I believe that like a lot of us could have played in the NFL if we were trained for that. However, not a lot of those guys could have played in the NBA if they were trained for it, because they are Most of them did train for it, and they weren't good enough, especially the receivers in the DBS and the running backs, like the skill positions. They are hoopers that weren't quite good enough.

You see that Keon Coleman guy though in the Bills his nice guess what a hooper that wasn't quite good enough?

You know how I know he's a hooper that wasn't quite good enough. He went to Michigan State at first, he played both. He played football and basketball. He needn't get on the fucking court.

Damn, he would get in.

They have forty or fifty they see like last thirty seconds the minute.

That's what is that.

He probably one of her better players in the NFL. Now, like he didn't get in the game, Michigan stay.

That's what the magic at editing and social media. They put together ten great plays and people are like, oh man, that's hall.

I can make the best mixtape right now and just say oh this guy. But I know, I'm just saying, like, really not not be good at it though, Like I'm like, I've seen guy playing my autim and they put a mixtape out and I'm like, whoa, he's not this good.

But then you go really watch a game and you'd be like, no, this is what he really is.

Fat.

Some kids try to go to college off their little highlight tapes.

Exactly.

It's like me like like, you can't tell me to go work out, Like I can kill a workout. They don't mean I'm gonna do this shit in five on five.

It's different.

Like you had one player pre draft.

How many coups go to pre draft and kill a pre draft workout one on one, but then when they go play five on five they don't know how to play basketball.

That's a fact.

Bro. Listen to this.

John. You remember Joe Alexander that went to West.

Virginia, Yes, one to West Virginia.

So the athlete, listen, Joe Alexander was playing, and uh, Joe Alexander was playing and uh, Fanta cruise with our G League team and they brought him up for a workout because they was looking to field the fifteen rosters by possibly and he came for a workout.

And I don't know if you remember big DJ White from Indiana.

Yeah, DJ White one, number three and it was a couple more, Yes, it was a couple more guys. Now, no, DJ White is not Lebron James or whatever. But I'm telling you, I watched this workout. Man, I'm gonna try to get film of the workout if I can get it on the sty to you, I watched this workout. It had to be the absolute best workout I've ever seen in my life.

Like, I don't give a fuck.

If you put goddamn Tony Allen in front of him, he was gonna bust his ass.

And the thing is so Pete Myers was our assistant coach at the.

Time, and Pete used to tell us because Pete had him in Chicago when they drafted him, like, hey, man, Joe Alexander the best one on one player I've ever seen. And then you go you put two on two out there, and motherfucker's still incredible. And then you go three on three and you get a little worse. And four on four, other fucker can't see shit. A five on five. He can't even play on the floor.

Like that's what people would always believe it.

And I'm like, but I just watched this workout, and he's like, yeah, don't be fooled by the workout. You ask some guys out there and putting another few pieces on the floor, he can't sit attend to see the rim anymore.

It just got blindness. And I'm like, ah, it makes sense.

So to Jay wall Point, like everybody can play one on one, like and it ain't a guy who helps out and you got to get through that gap. But you can't really do this shit at a high level, and.

You know, reading the weeks out of the fit and they don't know what the fuck going on. That's why I'd be sitting like, let's go play one on one. I'm like, bro, I can play one on one all fucking day. I play one of my whole life. If you really know I play.

One on one.

We're gonna go three dribbles to two dribbles and see how many people want to play Exactly it's like, no, we're not playing no more. They want to dribble for twenty second. I'm not chasing nobody around like that.

Exactly, two three dribbles. I see if you can get a good shot off in two to three dribbles, because guess what that is the NBA, My man, you don't get twenty dribbles to try to get somewhere. You got two to three dribbles. And if you ain't where you're trying to get get off the ball.

Brother.

The only way you get that pass now is because the NBA is like a lot more spacing, and if you the guy, you might get that many dribbles. If you ain't the guy, that's how cal too is in college. If you can't get by nobody one or two dribbles, dribbles, come on, get off the ball.

You need to come see next to us, exactly exactly. You can come sit next to us. We ain't doing that.

That's a fine, Draymond appreciate you, Yes, sir, No diet Drey.

I'm gonna see you around, bro.

Ain't no doubt. Jay Wallace, good to see you fair, Yes, sir, Love bro Love.

Welcome back to point Game with John wall and CJ. Toldonough, presented by DraftKings. It's that time. We do it every show. It's Bucket or Brick time. Render Bucket of Brick is brought to you by Draft Kings Sportsbook. Draft Kings Sportsbook is your home for all things NBA action, from player props, the same game parlays. Check out everything Draft Kings Sportsbook has to offer to make your NBA experience even sweeter.

Hm.

It's tough. You said in the beginning you weren't sure yet.

That was gonna go. I don't know, I'm gonna I'm not gonna do nothing, okay.

Because it's no no, because it's interesting because I feel like, for me, Kyrie and Luker are the best back cord of a point guard and real shooting guard and in the history to me, they haven't one anything. But just like they can both go get fifty, you know what I mean. But also I love the attitude and the aggretch the ant Man comes with. So I don't want to go against ant Man either, you know what I'm saying, Because ant Man is on another level right now.

I love everything about it.

That means if you go, if you go supporting casts versus supporting cast. So we talk about role players a lot on this show. So what role players would you want? The massive Timberwolves. Let's try it that way, like I think they have. I think Mas have better shooters, bigger shot makers, but the Timberwolves. So you have like incredible defensive bigs.

No no, no, no no no no not really no, not really no.

But you have the six man in nas Reed. But I love PJ. Washingt the way he's defending, the way he's making shots. I love the way Derrick Jones is stepping up making shots. So I feel like Derek Joe the Jada McDaniels, they like count each other out. I feel like Jada mcdane's more talented, more talented than what Dereck Jones is. But Derek Jones is doing the same than Jaden McDaniel's doing, you know what I'm saying.

Then I think nas Reed gives them the edge on the other end. But PJ. Washington has been great for them, you know what I mean.

You have Josh Green that come in and do his thing, Dote Xen was there then they started playing Jaden Hardy, Derrick Livey's been special for them. So I think it's gonna be interesting. I think it's gonna be interest. He's going six to seven for sure.

Okay, all right, Celtics Pacers Eastern Conference Finals, So bucketer brick, the Pacers will force a game seven in Boston, not Pacers winning to force the game.

I see it going five or six.

I see it going five or six because I just feel like the Pacers are fighting hard. I love coach Rick Carlisle. Siaka has been special. Uh, Hallen Burds has showed up in moments in spurts. I just think as such as they have, they they know what they they know what they're going for.

I mean, everything's on the line. They've been there before.

I think what Tatum be in the league seven years, he's been to a five or six East Conference Finals.

I think they know what they need to do to get there.

I think they got their mindset on one goal, and that's get to the finals and let's get over the humps.

So I see them taking care of business.

Yeah, I think they're the clear favorite right now after the Nuggets. Yeah, okay, all right, moving on here back to the Nuggets. The bucket or brick, the Nuggets will win another title with Yo Kich Bucket.

I feel I feel like I feel like they realized this year they what they lost from their bench. Last year heard them and this year, I mean because the tim Woods was wearing them down. They had a better bench, So I think they realized what they was missing. I think they may objective is it signed guys back and then go sign some pieces. They helped their bench a little bit, but the young guys are still developing. I just don't think they was ready for that type of moment.

Mm hmm. What type of players you think they got to go out and get this offseason.

Like the Bruce Brown, like Jeff Green, like those guys that was veterans knew how to play. It's it's okay to have the young guys, you know. I mean, it's okay to have young guys and still develop them. But I feel like they was missing some of those veteran guys off the bench to help him because they only played like three guys off the bench. You know, usually Nuggets can play three, four or five guys, So I think they a little bit more help with their bench.

Yeah, okay, all right, moving on a little bit of Lakers talk here, So Bucke or Brick. JJ Reddick will be the next coach of the Lakers.

Buck, Yeah, I think he is. I just think he is.

The way the media is talking, it's like JJ is is primed to take that spot, so they do it. How do you think that go? How does it work?

You know?

Because I think people are a little bit a little I think weary of it because he's a first time head coach. You know, we just had Darvin Ham for two years and they thought it was more of a player coach. So in the Lakers, biggest organization to be the head coach of how do you think that works?

I have no idea. I never seen JJ coach, you know.

I mean, like, yeah, I just see him on the podcasts and then see him broadcasting.

So I really don't know how that would work.

But all the best of the lucky we do get the job, you know, I mean, like whatever job you do get, it is the legers or whatever.

Being ahead coach is.

Not easy, I mean because yeah, there's so much that comes with it nowadays, and now it's more of a player's league than a coaches league, you know what I mean. So long as yours, long as your players respect you and buy into what you got going on.

You can go a long way.

I mean, yet, I know they're gonna probably try to trade for somebody we get the job and add some more pieces to help them out.

Right.

I have no idea.

Because I from talking to guys like you played in the league and that had you know coaches you I think you and and Marsham were talking about, you know, Randy Whitman, and it's almost having a coach who can connect with the players but also can call out their their bullshit.

You know that kind of I don't give it, Damne. It's high school college level.

Like, if the best player can be coached by the coach, your team is not going far. I mean, like you got to be able to hold your best player accountable the same way you hold the fifteen down on the team accountable. And then once everybody see that, then it brings your team together more because okay, shit, if he's getting on our best player, I gotta do my job

And that's as important as knowing the ex and up.

That's the most important role actually though would come down the pack. But if I can't coach my best player and hold him accountable like I can the fifteen player on my roster that might not play and my team

You could tell this ship they know what the man is.

They all accepted it, you know what I mean, Like they know answer guy, Kat is cool with being the second guy. And you see how where they're playing, like how they come out of it is how their team is, like they enjoy each other, their young team, but with a couple of vets, but they enjoy playing for each other and that goes a long way, all.

Right, all right, Finally, Bucket or Brick, Jo kich is actually happy the playoffs are over so you can go home to his horses. You think that's real, You think people there's all these memes out there who are like, Yo kicch is fine, he just wants to go and hang out with us.

I say brick because yogis why not care about like the MVP's and all that. But shit, he's still the basketball player. Like he still want to win championships. I know that for sure. I mean, he don't care for me. He don't care about the accolades, really don't care about the media attention. He don't want that. He just wanted to play basketball. If you win, he's winning. After that, I'm going back home, like he loves to be in his hometown. He loves to be around his horses, he

But I say brick because I know him.

I don't know him, but I know he has still want to if he had a chance to fight and to try to go win the championship, he would love that.

He just don't care about the media attention. I could tell you that. I bet.

Yeah. I really enjoyed his uh postgame press conference last night where he was breaking it down. It's like he said the specifics Timberwolves are built to beat the Nuggets, and they came up short, you know. And so if he didn't care and you want to just go back to the sources, he would have been like p some out, you know.

Yeah, But I felt that he was half the perfect team that could be the Nuggets, like they had the perfect team. I mean I told him before, I said, look at last year when nas Reed and Jadam Damn Zert, they still had a great series. So you're adding a sixth man and in your best defensive playoutside of their man. That changes the aspect of the game for them. Got him back and Wine and Winnie.

I think it's gonna be We're gonna see that matchup again in these next few for sure. I think Nuggets are gonna go get the pieces to go and beat the Timberwolves vice versa.

Like this is chess like chess, because the Timple Wolves.

Even though they beat them, they're gonna try to do some ship this summer to make their team even more better. I mean, all the priendings. If the Nuggets go do something, they're gonna have to do something. That's how they're gonna feel.

Yeah.

All right, Well we're just getting started with these conference finals. So uh, you know, people listening right now, keep listening, John, do you have anything else with the fans?

The man's gonna be a siting now we had the conference finals. We know what the matchups are, and you're gonna get a lot of this talk on our podcast.

You know it's gonna be a siting. So I already see when the game get rolling. So show Tom, YEP, showtime.

More guests on the way. This spend point Game presented by DraftKings. Everyone, please rate, review and subscribe to the pod. Leave us a five star review and drop some questions for for John and I want answer. I'm in a future episode Point Game Peace Gambling Problem called one eight hundred Gambler or in West Virginia visit www dot one eight hundred gambler dot net and New York call eight seven seven eight hope and why or text hope and why four six seven three sixty nine. Connecticut help is