"Don't let us win another f**king championship" - Draymond Green fires fiery warning to rivals after dominant training camp with Steph Curry
Golden State Warriors veteran forward Draymond Green appears high on his squad's chances of bouncing back during the 2024-25 NBA season. Following Golden State's intense training camp and preseason success, the four-time NBA champion fervently warned the rest of the league.
The Warriors underwent a considerable roster overhaul over the offseason. They replaced veterans Klay Thompson and Chris Paul with various role players, including Buddy Hield, De'Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson.
Many projected Golden State to be a middling team in the deep Western Conference again after last season's 10th-place finish (46-36). However, the Steph Curry-led franchise thrived during exhibition play, finishing with a league-best 6-0 record behind well-balanced team production.
During Tuesday's episode of "The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis," Green touched on his team's preseason success. He attributed it to Warriors coach Steve Kerr conducting a high-level, competitive training camp.
"Man, the vibes have been on 10 in the preseason. One of the best training camps and hardest training camps, I might add," Green said. "Steve was killing us in camp. We had one super long practice. I ain't practiced that long since college.
"But you know what? When we were in every practice, we were in every drill, — when I say we, I mean me, Steph, [Kevon] Loon[ey], guys who have been there — we were in everything because, again, this is a new thing, you've gotta set a tone," he continued.
Green added that Golden State's training camp and preseason were as productive as he could have hoped. Afterward, he warned his rivals that the franchise may be on track to return to championship contention.
"So, I think we did a great job of setting the tone, and we could not have asked for a better training camp, a better preseason than we had," Green said. "... I'm not saying we're gonna go win a championship, but I am saying don't let us win another f**king championship."
The Warriors' last title came in 2022. While the organization's roster has changed significantly since then, it still has several of the same key players, including Curry, Green, Looney and Andrew Wiggins. Meanwhile, some of its young players like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski could be primed to take leaps.
Green and Co. open the regular season on Wednesday night on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers.
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Draymond Green "feeling incredible" entering 13th NBA season
During his podcast, Draymond Green also noted that he is feeling rejuvenated entering his 13th NBA season.
Green likened his conditioning to the years he entered campaigns coming off summer Olympic appearances.
"I feel blessed going into Year 13. I feel lucky, excited, appreciative," Green said. "I feel open to just enjoying basketball again, enjoying the grind. My body feels great, my mind feels great, my drive is great. I haven't felt this good going into a season since an Olympic year. ... I'm feeling incredible."
Green, a four-time All-Star, hasn't made an All-Star team since 2022, when Golden State won its last championship. So, perhaps he could secure his fifth selection this season if the Warriors make a sizeable improvement.
Over 55 outings last season, Green averaged 8.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.9 blocks and 0.9 3-pointers per game, shooting 49.7%.
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