Draymond Green and Grant Williams had a few chippy interactions in Game 2 of the NBA Finals series between the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors. Williams and Green are very similar in terms of how they play. This is primarily because Williams saw how valuable Draymond was to the Warriors in 2015 and started to model his game in a similar way.
The Celtics forward definitely regretted revealing that when Draymond was spotted saying to him, ‘you’re not me, you wanna be me‘ at the free-throw line. It must have naturally played a trick on Grant, who was doing a great job in limiting Draymond’s offensive contributions.
Draymond has spoken about the trash-talk situation and how he feels when he hears players like Williams saying that they try to model their games after him.
Draymond Green on Grant Williams rooting for him growing up:
"My goal when I came in here was to create a path for Grant Williams. To hear him say that is an honor, so I don't take that for granted one bit."
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) June 7, 2022
“When you see a guy say, ‘Man, I grew up watching him,’ you appreciate it, because that’s why you work,” Green said. “You work to create a path for the next young guy. Like, my goal when I came in here was to create a path for Grant Williams. To hear him say that is an honor, so I don’t take that for granted one bit.”
“When you say that and then you start talking junk to me, then yes, I’m going to say something about that. Of course.”
Draymond fully understands what Williams said to him, and he definitely respects him for the same. However, that also does mean Grant gave Draymond an opening he would use on the court. Everyone remembers what happened when Joakim Noah decided to tell Kevin Garnett how much he admires him mid-game.
The pair will settle whatever problems they have with each other on the court and then dap it up regardless of which one of them wins. Draymond can age into the league, knowing players like Williams will keep his rarely imitated style of ball fresh and good.