Draymond Green has shown the ability to master two crafts at once, becoming a four-time NBA Champion and an all-time defensive player on the NBA court but also a successful media personality with his podcast, ‘The Draymond Green Show.’ However, Green doesn’t think every NBA player, especially young ones, should switch their focus to podcasting until they’ve established themselves as NBA players.
“When I see guys doing it now, I have two thoughts. A, I like that you’re doing that, I think that’s super dope that you’re doing that. But B, make sure that you’re in the space to do it first. I see some guys starting now, and if you start now because you’re trying to make that your main job, great. Go for it. But you’re not in a space right now to do that and try to make it in basketball because you ain’t made it in that yet.”
Green made a fantastic point but dismissed any young NBA player who isn’t established in the league from pursuing this path in a harsh way.
“For some of these guys, they be in year three, still trying to figure it out, with a podcast. I love that you’re doing it, I love that you found something that you want to do, but you in year three and ain’t done s***. Nobody really wants to hear from you.”
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Green’s word should be considered gospel in this space, and we’ve seen examples of it already. Established NBA players like Green and Paul George have blossomed also because they are among the NBA’s best players. Role-players like JJ Redick and Jeff Teague have thrived in the space after retirement, while retired stars such as Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O’Neal, and Carmelo Anthony have also found success.
One of the biggest examples of an NBA player who entered the podcasting world way too soon is Heat forward Duncan Robinson. Robinson started ‘The Long Shot’ podcast, affiliated with JJ Redick’s ThreeFourTwo productions after his breakout season with the Miami Heat in 2019-20. However, Robinson’s form declined in the coming seasons as he became regarded as a player with one of the worst contracts in the league.
Robinson hasn’t podcasted since 2022, with the effects of his NBA struggles visible as he was podcasting. Given Robinson hasn’t earned enough competitive cache to justify putting in time on media production instead of his game, he has to shelve his media ambitions until he moves on from the NBA.
Draymond himself has gotten hate, particularly from Warriors fans, for focusing on his podcast while being a major contributor to the franchise. He proved he could multi-task when he was regularly podcasting through the 2022 Playoffs, ending in a championship for the Warriors. He knows he’s earned enough on the court to put his energy into his post-playing career, but a 21 or 22-year-old on his rookie contract shouldn’t think the same.
Not many active young NBA stars have podcasts, though Raptors’ rookie Gradey Dick did start one podcast in the middle of his rookie season, but released only two episodes before going quiet.
Becoming a media personality is a natural post-playing career for NBA stars, but it seems they need to be cautious about what point in their career they take that step.
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