Draymond Green’s passion is both his greatest strength and his biggest controversy magnet. His relentless energy fuels the side he plays, but his fiery temper, physical play, and blunt honesty often put him at the center of drama. But today, Draymond Green has managed to repair his image. Last season, his defensive mastery took a back seat due to his frequently getting in trouble. With an indefinite suspension, several fines, and even contemplating retirement, the Warriors forward faced an emotional wave all at once. However, what hurt him the most was a misconception.

In a revealing interview with NBC Sports Bay Area, the 35-year-old admitted he reached “rock bottom” amidst the troublesome year he had last season. However, it didn’t matter to him that people questioned his utility as a basketball player. Green is aware of the irreplaceable impact he has on the Warriors. What affected him was his persona being questioned. But now he has answered how it was, and surely not easy for the Green family.

“Last year, my character was under attack. Who I am as a human being was under attack… I take pride in being a stand-up guy. If I see you and walk past you, I’m going to say, ‘Hi.’ I take pride in just being a great person. For my character to be under attack, that bothered me to my core because the things that were being said isn’t an accurate depiction of me and who I am,” said the four-time champion.

Draymond Green might get aggressive on the basketball court. But he certainly didn’t expect to hear things that he came across during this spell. “I couldn’t play the game the way that I love. And by the way, ‘He’s beating his wife at home. He’s beating his kids because look what he does on a basketball court.’ That’s crazy … to have to live through that,” Green explained.

The Warriors’ defensive pillar couldn’t believe the narratives that were being spread. “I am probably as non-confrontational as you going to find,” he says about his personality outside of basketball. And while he was suffering, his wife, Hazel, too, had to go through tough times.

It wasn’t just Draymond Green who suffered

Of course, Draymond Green reading such disgraceful things about himself was heartbreaking. He had done things on the basketball court. But that doesn’t mean he is the same person when it comes to his family and his kids. He is a loving father and an equally caring husband. But that didn’t stop these people from shaming him.

Actress and his wife, Hazel Renee, came across some horrific comments during Green’s indefinite suspension. “For my family to also have to live through that,” he adds, “that was kind of rock bottom for me. Like my wife opening her Instagram and [seeing] ‘I’m so sorry’ [comments]. ‘I know you’re getting beaten at home.’ Beaten? I’m the guy that when my wife is on one, I walk into the other room,” Draymond Green revealed.

For Hazel Renee, to read such things about the man she had raised her kids with must have been beyond painful. It’s far from an ideal representation of Green. But luckily, his family didn’t think much of it. It was actually one of his kids who helped him during this time. While ‘hiding’ in the mancave, his daughter FaceTimed him to find out his whereabouts, only to discover his suffering.

Once she knew, she took the initiative and dragged Draymond Green out of solitude. It helped Green take the first steps towards helping himself and also overcoming the dark thoughts that clouded him. He accepted help from the league and now values therapy sessions to keep his emotions in check.

Green may still live on the edge. But he is well within his limits to the point that his basketball fire shines through rather than the antics.