TORONTO — Draymond Green says the NBA doesn’t need to put the clamps on Drake, saying he deserves to “get more leash.”
One day after Green and Drake barked angrily at each other after the Raptors captured Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena, Warriors forward Green said he enjoys the back-and-forth. The NBA’s warnings to Drake entering the Finals has apparently gone unheeded and perhaps another one is in store.
Drake battled with Green and trolled Stephen Curry twice — first wearing his father Dell’s Raptors jersey, then reaching into his hair and pulling out something. Drake then posted a photo of a piece of lint with the caption: “Steph Curry hair lint for sale on my eBay right now!!! username: DraymondShouldntWear23.”
“Drake talking on the sideline — I think so many people make a big deal out of it,” Green said during Friday’s availability. “He’s a fan. He talks and it gets more attention because he’s Drake. So many people are complaining about it, like, ‘You don’t let any other fan do that.’ Yeah, any other fan is just not Drake, so they probably shouldn’t be able to do that. That’s just kind of how the cookie crumbles.”
Drake looked to have initiated his battle with Green, who never backs down from a confrontation.
Green says Drake, the Canadian-Jewish-Black rapper deserves preferential treatment.
“He’s worked his ass off to be who he is,” Green said. “I think we all know when you do that, you get more leash than others. I think there’s so much talk and ‘the NBA needs to’ — no, they don’t. He worked to be who he is; you should get more leash. But I don’t mind it. It’s fun for me.”
Instead, Green took a dig at American fans whom, according to a USA Today survey, are rooting against the two-time defending champion Warriors. Golden State has two countries pulling against them – with all of Canada on board for the NBA’s lone team north of the border.
“People in the States are rooting against us because we beat all their teams,” said Green. ”All good. When you’re at the top, no one’s ever cheering for you to stay there. People want to see you get to the top and they want to see you fall. That’s just kind of the mind of the most human beings. Their team is sitting at home with them.”
Green posted one of the worst triple-doubles in history – 10 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists with six turnovers and played lax defense on Game 1 star Pascal Siakam.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers was fined $50,000 by the NBA for a TV appearance in which he praised Kawhi Leonard ’s game. The league didn’t specify which comments violated its tampering rules.
The Raptors superstar is rumored to be seeking a return to the LA area, where he was raised, and has been linked heavily to the Clippers.
Warriors swingman Andre Iguodala reinjured his calf during Game 1 and underwent an MRI exam. Coach Steve Kerr said he didn’t know the results, but he believes Iguodala is feeling better and seems OK for Game 2.
DeMarcus Cousins played eight minutes in his return from a quad injury that kept him out since early in the first round, scoring three points, all on free throws. Kerr said he had a nice outing, making all the right passes.
“I thought his minutes were good — we could start running more offense through him,’’ Kerr said.
Unsolicited, Kerr praised the “O Canada’’ anthem’s rendition before the first Finals game in Canada as it seemed the entire crowd sang the lyrics.
“The national anthem was one of the coolest things I’ve ever been a part of,’’ Kerr said. “Hearing the crowd sing along to ‘O Canada,’ it was beautiful. The Canadian fans are so nice that even when they’re harassing us they do it in a very polite manner.’’
