If there’s one player who loves to go on battles, it’s Kevin Durant. The 2x NBA champion loves to choose his opponents and puts them to the ground with his incredible shooting ability and knack for finding a way to win. Yet, he also gives his flowers to players, whom he thinks deserve them. Well, the Slim Reaper nodded his hat to one such Golden State Warriors legend.

No, it’s not Stephen Curry!

After the Phoenix Suns defeated the Golden State Warriors 105-113, Kevin Durant acknowledged Draymond Green’s influence on the Bay Area side. He stated, “When Draymond is at his best, it’s like a good balance between being ultra-aggressive and being on edge and also just being the cerebral monster that he is. I think he’s found that balance even better. I feel like he always had it.” 

Last season, Draymond lost his cool in most games. The seasoned pro unfortunately had four ejections, 13 technical fouls, and two flagrant fouls. This year, Green seems a little mellow, about which we are all confused about speaking out loud. Well, guess what?

He loved the comment and the validation from KD after the Suns’ matchup. Usually, Dray says, “Many things most people say, they don’t bother me. They don’t. They don’t affect me and I really don’t give a damn. KD is someone. If KD says something, I care.” Well, when you get respect from a player who’s arguably the greatest offensive threat in this league, you sit back and listen to it.

In his podcast with Baron Davis, Draymond Green, detailed, “But also, anytime you hear from your peers, that is as great as a Kevin Durant. And you hear him say the cerebral monster that he is? He’s playing his best basketball. He’s found that balance of ultra aggressiveness and on the edge but boom. When you hear that from your peers and especially one you have gone to war with and won a championship with, and one opinion that really matters to you.“

The duo won 2 NBA championships together and raised the bar for NBA teams in the trade market. It was an All-Star team assembled with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green. Most fans believed they couldn’t be defeated, and it was true. It’s arguably the greatest team assembled by an NBA franchise. And yes, it got a lot of heat from fans, reasons for which the Slim Reaper is still targeted till date. For Dray, however, it was a pleasure working with KD.

Draymond Green appreciates ‘support system’ Kevin Durant for his trust while banishing an “excuse”

“I was really appreciative of his comment because it’s also validation to me that the things you are working on are showing,” continued Green. It’s amazing to see the respect the two share with each other. Durant continues to raise the game in his time with the Suns as well.

“When people would say ‘Yo, that’s just Draymond being Draymond,’ he’d (KD) be like, ‘Now, sometimes people give you that excuse’ and he said these words to me verbatim before he said ‘Yo sometimes people give you the excuse… but I know what Draymond looked like at his best’ he said that word those words to me verbatim,” Green continued.

This season, he’s averaging 26.8 points and swats the ball away with 1.5 blocks. It’s amazing to see the Warriors floor general perform at a high level and hopefully, he can win his 3rd NBA title. For Green, he cherishes the moments he spent with Durant at the Warriors. During his time in the Bay, everyone got the plaudits for their offensive prowess.

Don’t sleep on Green, though!

The forward ensured the defensive side of the game didn’t go unnoticed. Hence, he became a mainstay for the Warriors with his aggressive defense and incredible hustle play, fighting for every second chance ball. He has a defensive box +/- score of 3.9 in his career. That speaks volumes about the player.

Hence, Draymond Green continues to excel in the games he plays this season. For the veteran, those golden words meant a lot because KD is an NBA legend. That’s undebatable. And when legends give you feedback, you sit back and cherish the moment.