Draymond Green says he ‘gained a lot of respect’ for the Sacramento Kings

May 1, 2023, 8:28 AM

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors looks on in t...

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

Following Sunday’s Game 7 in Sacramento, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green shared his thoughts on the series while recording the latest episode of his podcast, The Draymond Green Show.

Green and the Warriors closed out the Sacramento Kings in Game 7 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Golden 1 Center behind Stephen Curry’s record-setting 50-point performance, adding another memorable performance to Golden State’s lengthy list of closeout games.

While the Kings fell to the defending champions in disappointing fashion, Green had plenty to say about Sacramento’s return to the postseason–something that Green expects to happen often in the coming years.

“That’s a group that fought, and you gotta respect that. I have a lot of respect for those guys,” Green said. “Sacramento Kings organization, Sacramento Kings fanbase, De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Mike Brown and company, I gained a lot of respect for. I always have respect from Mike Brown.”

Green highlighted De’Aaron Fox’s play and demeanor during the hard-fought seven-game series–the guard’s first of his NBA career.

“A lot of times in these playoff series, you play these series and you lose a lot of respect for guys. I’ve got a lot of respect for them boys,” Green said. “De’Aaron Fox, he had a tough one tonight. They’ll be another opportunity. But the way he carried them guys, his demeanor and leadership. Back in Game 4, we got into it because I said something to Keegan Murray. He stepped right in. I can respect that.

“So many guys that ya’ll think is ‘him’ wouldn’t say nothing for their guy. I can respect that.”

Fox put on a show during the series while playing through a fractured left index finger, averaging 27.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 42 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range.

While Green had plenty of positive things to say about Sacramento, he did have some parting words for Kings center Domantas Sabonis after the big man left the floor without shaking hands with Golden State following Sunday’s game.

“Lost a lot of respect for Sabonis. You don’t shake guys’ hands after you lose, I don’t respect that,” Greens said. “I once left the court when we lost in Game 7 to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and I went to my locker room and sat down, and I said ‘this don’t feel right’. Then I walked back out on the court and I showed everybody love.

“You lost. Deal with it. Pay your respects. That was wack to me. I wouldn’t even say lost respect, but that’s wack to me. I don’t respect that.”

Here is a look at the post-series embraces between the Warriors and Kings. Lot of mutual respect between organizations. A long Curry/Fox embrace. Then just about everyone found Mike Brown. pic.twitter.com/UGbPCOxx7V

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 30, 2023

Green and Sabonis were involved in a controversial play during Game 2 that resulted in Green coming down on Sabonis’ chest with his foot, resulting in the former Defensive Player of the Year being handed a one-game suspension.

While Green didn’t appreciate Sabonis skipping the postgame handshake session, the forward concluded his thoughts on Sacramento’s playoff run with more words of encouragement and admiration.

“That’s not the last that we’ll see of that group. That group will have to be reckoned with for years to come in the NBA.”