Draymond Green is keeping it honest about his early days in the NBA. Speaking with Jordan Schultz, the Warriors veteran admitted that he used to party late into the night before games and still managed to deliver elite performances on the court, though he says things have changed now that he’s older.
“I’ve been out night before a game, drink till 6 in the morning and have a triple-double, when I was younger in the league,” Green said. “But during the playoffs, I don’t really do much of nothing. When it’s the playoffs, that’s business. You can’t be out here drinking or going out the night before games when the season is on the line. I see dudes out before playoff games, and I just think, if you can’t wait one week to drink, you’re not serious.”
For many NBA players, partying is just a part of the lifestyle. In between games and practices, some people will go out of their way to look for a place to hang out, often settling on casinos, bars, or clubs. Some of the league’s top stars, like former MVP James Harden, have developed a reputation for their party habits, with many believing it has impacted his career for the worse.
In the case of Draymond Green, we know he has a tendency to lose his cool. In the past, he has had countless altercations with players, including some of his own teammates like Kevin Durant and Jordan Poole. Known as an “enforcer” on the court, he’s the source of most trash talk from the Warriors, and he’s embraced the role like nobody else in the league.
Like plenty of others across the NBA, Draymond also has a taste for the fun side of life. During the height of his career, he could drink for the whole night before a game and play through it like nothing. As he and the Warriors were dominating opponents, they’d celebrate the victories with parties that would last until 6 am. The Warriors were so good at the time that any ill effects from partying hardly made a difference.
Still, even amid all the celebrations, the Warriors had a hard line they never crossed. For Draymond Green, that line was the NBA postseason. He always quit the parties when the playoffs rolled around, sending a message to his teammates that only total focus would be tolerated.
When there was a championship on the line, the Warriors were all business but they also knew how to have fun. They achieved a balance that few teams ever do and it’s one that persists to this day. At this stage, Green may not be drinking as much as he used to but he never let it get in the way of his success. He knows more than most what it takes to win, and part of the formula involves staying focused on the mission at hand.
Draymond Green’s story shows that greatness often comes from growth and maturity rather than perfection. He’s lived both sides of the NBA lifestyle, from late nights to locked-in playoff runs, and that evolution mirrors the Warriors’ journey through the years. Now at 35, Green may be older and more disciplined, but the competitive fire that made him a champion still burns just as strong.
