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Warriors F Draymond Green: NBA games 'very boring,' have ‘no substance’

Sat Feb 15 3:56pm ET
Field Level Media

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green didn't hold back when asked by a reporter Saturday whether he thinks the NBA game is boring.

"Absolutely," was Green's direct reply, per reporters.

The NBA still has plenty of interest, as evidenced by a new series of broadcast and streaming deals that will generate about three times more money than the previous deal. Attendance continues to increase to record-setting levels, and players demand and receive higher-than-ever salaries.

But questions persist about whether the on-court product has actually improved, with a steady shift towards higher scoring and a faster-paced game. And Green, speaking on All-Star Saturday in San Francisco, believes it has not.


The four-time NBA champion referenced an interview with the late Kobe Bryant in which he called the game "accidental basketball," saying, "It's all penetrate and pitch. You may make the shot, you may not."

Bryant's words resonate with Green, who said, "He couldn't have been more right. ... You want to be one of the teams that aren't playing an accidental game. That's the challenge."

Green said it's "refreshing" to go up against players like LeBron James who he considers "thinkers" who can find and exploit weaknesses on the opposing team rather than simply try to out-run them or shoot more 3s.

"Every possession is some type of chess move," Green said of games like the recent matchup where Green's Warriors lost to James' Los Angeles Lakers 120-112. "You don't get that today in the NBA, often. ... You don't just get that on a regular basis. It's just who can run faster, who can hit more 3s, it's no substance. I think it's very boring."

Green's comments come at a time when former NBA players aren't shy about saying the game was better during their careers, whether that is the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s or 2000s.

The All-Star Game is Sunday in San Francisco.

Player Notes
Kevin Knox II Fri Feb 14 9:00pm

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Knox II is expected to sign a 10-day contract with the team following the All-Star break. Knox is currently playing with the Warriors G-League affiliate. He's averaging 19.3 points and 7.8 rebounds, which has opened up some eyes lately. Knox was in training camp with the Warriors, but he wasn't able to make the final roster. Now with the team having vacant roster spots they're considering bringing Knox onto their roster. He probably wouldn't play enough to warrant a look in fantasy leagues, but we'll wait and see what happens.

Damion Baugh Fri Feb 14 8:40pm

Charlotte Hornets guard Damion Baugh has signed a two-year, two-way contract with the team. The 24-year-old impressed the team with a 16-point performance during Wednesday's game. He added five rebounds and three assists along the way across 27 minutes of action. The Hornets are fairly banged up at the guard spot, so Baugh might be able to contribute during the second half of the season. Fantasy managers should wait and see what happens, but Baugh should be on the radar in deep leagues.

Jared Butler Fri Feb 14 2:30pm

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared Butler is getting his contract converted from a two-way to a standard, two-year NBA contract. The former second-round pick in 2021 joined the Sixers at the trade deadline in the deal that sent Reggie Jackson and a 2026 first-round pick to Washington in exchange for Butler and four second-round picks. This year has been the best Butler's young career as he's averaging 7.1 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.4 rebounds across 11.8 minutes per game. While his role isn't quite guaranteed, he's set for bigger opportunities in the short term while the Sixers deal with injury after injury.

Anthony Davis Fri Feb 14 2:10pm

Dallas Mavericks center Anthony Davis (adductor) was already expected to be out "multiple" weeks in an earlier report from Shams Charania and Tim McMahon from ESPN. In their latest report that confirmed Daniel Gafford (knee) is out for six weeks, they also said that sources told them Davis is expected to miss "at least four weeks." The report also suggests that the Mavericks are going to be cautious about Davis' recovery since he was the headlining piece in the trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. Kessler Edwards got the start at center in their last game while Naji Marshall and Olivier-Maxence Prosper saw a big increase in opportunities as well.

Daniel Gafford Fri Feb 14 1:40pm

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (knee) was originally expected to be re-evaluated in two weeks but will have to miss even more time. According to Shams Charania and Tim McMahon of ESPN, the big man will miss at least six weeks with a Grade 3 MCL sprain. This leaves the team hurting for frontcourt depth since Anthony Davis (Adductor), Dereck Lively II (ankle), and Dwight Powell (hip) are all out for an extended period of time. Olivier-Maxence Prosper should see a big uptick in minutes along with both Kessler Edwards and Naji Marshall. All three are in streaming territory after the former two joined the starting five and Marshall saw 33 minutes off of the bench in their last game on Thursday.

Norman Powell Fri Feb 14 1:00am

Clippers' G Norman Powell scored 41 points on 13-of-26 shooting in a 120-116 win over Utah on Thursday, Feb. 13.

Tyler Herro Fri Feb 14 1:00am

Heat's G Tyler Herro scored 40 points on 15-of-30 shooting in a 113-118 loss to Dallas on Thursday, Feb. 13.

CJ McCollum Fri Feb 14 1:00am

New Orleans Pelicans' G CJ McCollum scored 43 points on 16-of-25 shooting in a 140-133 win over the Kings on Thursday, Feb. 13.

Amir Coffey Thu Feb 13 8:40pm

Los Angeles Clippers forward Amir Coffey (knee) will be inactive as the team wraps up a back-to-back on Thursday against the Utah Jazz. Coffey played 18 minutes in Wednesday's victory over the Memphis Grizzlies but landed on the injury report with left knee soreness. The team has downgraded him from questionable to out ahead of tip-off. Kawhi Leonard (knee) also won't play on Thursday, which opens up quite a bit of playing time for the rest of the Clippers forwards. Ben Simmons, who is set to make his team debut, may also absorb some of the available minutes.

Brandon Ingram Thu Feb 13 8:30pm

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (ankle) will not make his debut for the team anytime soon. Sportsnet's Michael Grange has reported that Ingram isn't projected to be back for at least a month. The former All-Star has suited up for only 18 games in 2024-25 due to a high-grade left low ankle sprain suffered on Dec. 7, making this essentially a lost season for Ingram, even when he eventually comes back. After acquiring him from the New Orleans Pelicans, the Raptors inked a three-year, $120 million contract extension with Ingram, a significant show of confidence for a player with a lengthy injury history. It remains to be seen if the investment pays off and how well Ingram meshes with current team leaders Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett.

Chet Holmgren Thu Feb 13 8:20pm

Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (rest) will return to action in Thursday's matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The talented big man has only recently returned from a 39-game absence, and the team rested him for the first leg of a back-to-back against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. Holmgren's return will push Aaron Wiggins back to the second unit. Fantasy managers should be patient with Holmgren as he works himself back into form. Since returning to the lineup, he has averaged 8.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks in 23.5 minutes across two games.

Nikola Jovic Thu Feb 13 8:10pm

Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (knee) will be active on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks. The 21-year-old has been battling various health issues recently and is currently on the injury report with a left knee contusion. However, Miami has upgraded him from probable to available. Jovic has put together a few impressive stretches in 2024-25 but is still plagued by inconsistency. Following back-to-back 20-point games, he has notched 29 points across three outings prior to Thursday's action.

Anthony Edwards Thu Feb 13 8:10pm

Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (hip) will play in Thursday's big matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Initially, there was uncertainty surrounding Edwards when Minnesota listed him as questionable for the game. However, he has now been confirmed as a starter for the contest. The Timberwolves will be missing three of their regular starters on Thursday, so Edwards is expected to carry a heavy load offensively. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaylen Clark, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid will join him in the starting lineup.

Duncan Robinson Thu Feb 13 8:00pm

Miami Heat guard/forward Duncan Robinson (illness) has officially been listed as available for Thursday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. He initially carried a probable tag on the injury report. Robinson is back in the lineup after missing Wednesday's meeting with the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a stomach bug. The illness has taken out Andrew Wiggins and Terry Rozier on Thursday, and Bam Adebayo (knee) is also sidelined, so we should see Robinson plenty with the ball. Davion Mitchell and Alec Burks may lose minutes to him.

Gary Payton II Thu Feb 13 7:50pm

Golden State Warriors guard/forward Gary Payton II (leg) is a late scratch for Thursday's matchup against the Houston Rockets. He didn't appear on the initial injury report before the team ruled Payton II out due to a right peroneal contusion. With Payton II's absence, Golden State loses one of its best defenders, but the late change in the lineup will not have any significant circumstances in fantasy basketball.

Rudy Gobert Thu Feb 13 7:40pm

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (back) has been ruled out for Thursday's meeting with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The French giant is battling back spasms, with the team downgrading his status from questionable to out. Naz Reid already benefits from Julius Randle's (groin) absence and will now get a further boost. The likes of Joe Ingles and Luka Garza may also see more action due to Gobert's absence. However, they should be seen as risky fantasy plays.

Mike Conley Thu Feb 13 7:40pm

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley (finger) will remain in street clothes for Thursday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has been ruled out for a fourth consecutive game after Minnesota initially listed Conley as questionable on the injury report. Conley's injury has increased the fantasy values of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Rob Dillingham. Both players may get an additional boost on Thursday due to Anthony Edwards' (hip) absence. Minnesota's star man is considered a game-time decision for the matchup.

Klay Thompson Thu Feb 13 7:30pm

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson (foot) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Miami Heat after being downgraded from questionable to out. Thompson logged 34 minutes on Wednesday in a special matchup against his former team, the Golden State Warriors, and the Mavericks will manage his workload by giving the veteran the night off against Miami. Kyrie Irving (shoulder) has also been ruled out, which means the Mavericks will enter Thursday's contest without any of their regular starters. Naji Marshall, Dante Exum, Max Christie, and Spencer Dinwiddie could all emerge as key players instead of the usual suspects.

Bam Adebayo Thu Feb 13 7:30pm

Eddie Sefko of the Mavericks' official sitereports that Miami Heat forward/centerBam Adebayo(knee) won't play against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. Adebayo appeared on the injury report earlier due to a left knee bruise, but he's since been downgraded to unavailable. Thursday's contest will be the first the 27-year-old has missed in a month. With the big man out, Nikola Jovic,Kyle Anderson, andHaywood Highsmithwould be set up for more work, whileKel'el Warewould have more space to dominate against a banged-up Dallas frontcourt.

Dante Exum Thu Feb 13 7:30pm

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Dante Exum (Achilles) will suit up for Thursday's clash against the Miami Heat. He sat out Wednesday's matchup against the Golden State Warriors and was initially on the injury report with a questionable designation. The Mavericks receive much-needed help with Exum back, as the team is down to its bare bones with all regular starters sidelined. The versatile Australian may receive increased usage on Thursday, but it's important to note that Exum, who has an extensive injury history, hasn't played more than 21 minutes in any game this season.


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