Think Draymond Green is still mad about where he got drafted in 2012?
Uh…yeah. He can name every player drafted before him in order.
Jon Wilner of Bay Area News Group:
The topic is the 2012 NBA draft — his draft — and Warriors forward Draymond Green has his game face on. Offered a printout of every selection to assist his recollections of that fateful night, Green scoffs.
“I don’t need it.”
And with that, he begins.
“First was Anthony Davis to New Orleans,” he says. “Then Charlotte took (Michael) Kidd-Gilchrist. Then Washington took Bradley Beal. Fourth was Cleveland: Dion Waiters.
“Eight was Toronto: Terrence Ross …
“Sixteen was Houston: Royce White …
By the time he’s done, Green has reeled off the names of all 34 players selected ahead of him and the corresponding team.
In order.
Ticked off? You’re darn right he’s still ticked off.
Green was the 35th pick overall by the Golden State Warriors. He didn’t even go in the first round. Four years later he’s finishing seventh in the MVP voting, second in Defensive Player of the Year and he’s become one of the best power forwards in the game today.
“I know why I had to wait,” Green said. “I know what the scouts thought: ‘He’s a tweener. Who’s he going to guard? He’s maxed out his potential.’
“But I knew none of that was valid. What happened to me is what normally happens to players in my situation. But I knew I wasn’t normal.”
The Warriors passed on Green twice with the No. 7 and No. 30 selections, picking forward Harrison Barnes and center Festus Ezeli instead.
“We kind of blew it,” general manager Bob Myers said. “But at least we got him.”
Green is still mad he didn’t go higher but it has helped motivate him to become the player he is today.
