OAKLAND — Golden State forward Draymond Green, less than a month from becoming a restricted free agent, didn’t pull a Kevin Love and say he “expects’’ to be suiting up in Warriors’ gold on opening night next season.
The once-unsung two-way power forward, now being talked about as a max-salary player, wants to ignore his July payday and focus on a June championship. That’s why “Everybody Loves Draymond’’ in the Bay Area. He called himself “blue-collared’’ on the eve of The Finals.
Green, the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, didn’t look like a max player in Game 1 as he got stuck in foul trouble. He did not score his first field goal until midway through the second quarter or take his first rebound until midway through the third. He finished with 12 points of 4-of-13 shooting and six rebounds – a subpar performance despite the 108-100 OT win.
“As far as the free-agency game, I guess people are anticipating it, but I’m trying to win a championship,’’ Green, 25, said before the game. “That takes as much focus in itself than worrying about something that happens in July. Right now it’s all about the team trying to win a championship.
“It’s been an adjustment for sure adjusting to a lot of the attention, being more in the spotlight, meaning more to your team,’’ added Green, who came in averaging 14.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks in the playoffs. “It’s been fun and I’ve enjoyed it.’’
The maximum contract for Green, drafted in the second round (35th overall) in 2012, starts at about $15 million. Yes, he would make a great fit for Phil Jackson’s Knicks, who are desperate for defense up front to complement Carmelo Anthony’s offense-first game.
But Golden State can match any offer for Green as a restricted free agent and they likely will. Knicks general manager Steve Mills has said the club doesn’t want to get involved in long-shot situations that could tie up other avenues. That’s why Detroit center Greg Monroe, an unrestricted free agent, is the Knicks’ most realistic big-man signee, according to team executives.
In March, Lakers broadcaster Mychal Thompson, the father of Warriors shooting guard Klay, said on his LA radio show: “They said they’re going to match whatever” for Green.
“None of that stuff matters right now,’’ Green said Thursday. “We’re together right now. We have two more weeks to try to finish off the job we started in September. That’s the most important thing. All the other stuff, I can’t control it anyway so why worry about it.’’
