Draymond Green‘s 2023-24 NBA season has been quite eventful, if not anything. It’s been explosive, considering the many scenarios he’s seen so far. All of his actions, and all of his antics, have led critics to question who he is as a person. The GSW star understands people’s concerns and does have a somewhat straightforward answer to that.

The 4x NBA All-Star has had a chance to sit down and introspect during his long suspension period after he punched the Suns’ center, Jusuf Nurkić. He explains he performs under an alter-ego. He is hyper-competitive and defensive on the court, which is not in tune with his personality off-court. He said, “The person that I am, sitting here talking to you, is not the person I am on the basketball court. They’re not the same person. And it’s almost like I got an alter ego or something. But when I’m competing on the court, when I’m doing my job, that’s not the same person you’re going to deal with on a daily basis… And I’m totally fine with that”

As far as his off-court personality is concerned, Green has not always matched up to the riled-up player we see on the court. All his life, he has gained more power on-court through many unconventional ways. His aggressive, gritty playing style is what has granted the GSW franchise the success they’ve garnered. However, despite how funny, sweet, or understanding he is off the court, the Michigan native has boiled over, rather unprofessionally many times. His recklessness has caused the franchise to be suspended two times this season. This brings us to wonder, how is Draymond Green going to protect his legacy and his $90 million fortune?

How will Draymond Green protect his fortunes and legacy?

Draymond Green has carved out a unique legacy during his illustrious 12-year career in the NBA. He is one of the most polarizing figures in the league. Despite his eccentricities, such as his combative style of play, and an incessant need to provoke opponents, Green’s contributions have proven beneficial for him and the Warriors. He has been a vital part of the Warriors dynasty, who have won 4 championships in nine seasons. Draymond has missed 17 games because of the suspensions he incurred. He missed a further four games in January, as he tried to regain match fitness after his lengthy suspension. Of course, it going to affect his long-term credibility and fortunes, right?

Will he behave differently now, knowing he has just been through a long suspension? Analysts and fans can only hope this time around, it will be different, but he has failed many times before. Everyone seems to have an answer – he can, can’t; he might. But if he does change, he loses a part of himself on the court. That makes him what he is. Or maybe, he is just trying to do the right thing (as instructed or working on the learnings of his many counseling sessions) to protect his fortunes. To this argument, Green only had one thing to say, “I can change, I will still be me and no, it’s not about the money—or even entirely about any obligations to Kerr, Curry, and Klay Thompson.”

The one reason he could change and get better is the fact he is scared to let his family down. Green says, “It’s the fear of letting my family down. Fear of letting my kids down, fear of my kids having to deal with things, more than they already have to deal with just being my kid. Fear of what my wife has to deal with. That’s what it is for me”.

Without Green, the Warriors have struggled this season. They’ve managed to secure only 11 victories out of the 24 games that Green was sidelined for. For many years, he has served as a defensive linchpin for the team. Even though he has a reputation for such behavior, his rage reached its peak in 2023. But no matter the 147 overall technical fouls 18 ejections and 6 suspensions he has faced throughout his career so far, Green still insists that it’s not him. The key player, the stirrer of such controversies has not been the real him. It’s been his alter-ego. He says, “I tell people all the time: If I had $1 for every time someone said to me, ‘Wow, you’re nothing like I thought.’ … It’s because you were judging me (from) the basketball court. If I had $1 for every time someone said that, I’d be way richer than I am now.”

Read More: “Gave Me Complete Hell”: Draymond Gets Brutally Honest About Nikola Jokic After Disheartening Warriors Loss