Draymond Green Shares His Thoughts on the NBA: 'It's a Bit Boring,' Says Warriors Star

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — On Saturday morning, Draymond Green shared his thoughts on the current state of basketball, discussing how he perceives the game is officiated differently now than in the past, particularly regarding how star players are treated compared to earlier eras.

When prompted with a straightforward question about whether he finds the NBA game dull, Green responded candidly, saying, “Absolutely.”

This sentiment captures a significant concern facing the NBA today: the perception that the current trend of high-scoring matches, an increase in three-point shots, and a decline in physical play reminiscent of previous generations may be detracting from the overall quality of the sport.

“As a league, we are overly focused on analytics,” remarked Milwaukee guard Damian Lillard. “There’s this prevailing idea that it’s either a three-pointer or a layup; mid-range jumpers are dismissed. This takes away the game’s creativity. Basketball is meant to be played on multiple levels and in various styles.”

“However, we find ourselves in a copycat league where success is often imitated, and if everyone is winning in one style, you must adapt to keep up,” he added.

Despite these concerns, the NBA is poised to embark on new broadcast and streaming agreements that are expected to generate a staggering $76 billion—approximately three times the revenue from the previous contract. This indicates that there remains a strong interest in the league, even if viewership metrics have experienced a decline in recent years, a fact the league openly acknowledges. Player salaries are soaring, attendance records are continually being broken, and merchandise sales are thriving.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver highlights these factors as evidence that the league is, in his view, in an “excellent” state. “We are closely monitoring the situation,” Silver stated. “While there’s always room for improvement, I am satisfied with how the game is currently progressing.”

Nonetheless, questions about the quality of play continue to surface, and Green is one player who believes there are legitimate issues. He referenced an interview with the late Kobe Bryant, who described modern basketball as “accidental basketball.”

“It’s all about penetrating and passing,” Bryant noted. “You might make the shot or you might not.”

Green agreed wholeheartedly, saying, “He couldn’t have been more right.” He reminisced about a recent match featuring the Golden State Warriors and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, emphasizing how refreshing it was to compete against a strategic player like James, who excels at identifying and exploiting weaknesses.

“Each possession feels like a chess match when you’re playing against him,” Green explained. “Unfortunately, that level of cerebral play is rare in the current NBA. It often comes down to who can run faster or shoot three-pointers better, lacking genuine substance. Personally, I find it quite boring.”

For a championship-caliber team like the Warriors, which boasts seasoned champions like Green and Stephen Curry along with a skilled coach in Steve Kerr, the relentless run-and-gun style of play isn’t their preferred approach.

“Our goal is to avoid playing an accidental game,” Green said. “That’s the real challenge we face.”