The Golden State Warriors have won their first playoff series since 2019, eliminating the Denver Nuggets to do so. While the series did go only 5 games, most of the games were fairly competitive.
One of the big storylines during the series was about how former DPOY Draymond Green would match up with Nikola Jokic, who won MVP last season. Nikola Jokic definitely did well offensively, but Draymond Green made him work for every made basket.
After the game, Nikola Jokic and Draymond Green had a conversation with one another, and it was clear that there was mutual respect between the two. Draymond Green divulged what was said during the conversation, claiming he told Nikola Jokic “thank you” for helping him get better as a defender.
Jokic and Draymond. ✊ pic.twitter.com/1UORKM0KEd
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 28, 2022
Draymond on his post-game moment with Jokic: "I told him thank you for making me better. It's an honor and a pleasure to play someone so skilled. Usually when you have guys that talented and skilled they're soft. And he's far, far from soft."
— Shayna Rubin (@ShaynaRubin) April 28, 2022
“I told him thank you for making me better. It’s an honor and a pleasure to play someone so skilled. Usually when you have guys that talented and skilled they’re soft. And he’s far, far from soft.”
There is no doubt that this is a fantastic sentiment from Draymond Green. Nikola Jokic is one of the best big men in the league, and he is definitely one of the most skilled big men to ever play the game. It was clear that he gave Draymond Green a lot to handle, and there’s no defender in the world that is capable of fully stopping Nikola Jokic.
As of now, Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors will likely focus on their upcoming road to the NBA championship. Draymond Green has previously expressed confidence that the Warriors would win this year, and perhaps we can see that become a reality in the future. There’s no question that they have the talent to do so. Draymond Green’s defense and playmaking will be a key part of that, and the Warriors will need him to continue playing at a high level to succeed.
