Draymond Green has no problem telling it like it is. Apparently, that includes the fact that he believes four Golden State Warriors deserve a spot in the All-Star Game, just like they did last year.
As next month’s celebration in Los Angeles nears, there’s been lots of talk about the format change and the fact that the league seems afraid to hurt ayone’s feelings in a player draft. Dray’s teammate Kevin Durant says he wants no part in being a captain and making choices about teammates, while Stephen Curry says he’d be happy to be a schoolyard captain.
One thing that’s clear to Green, however, is that all three of the aforementioned Warriors — and Klay Thompson — should be in Los Angeles representing the Dubs in February. He spoke to ESPN on Friday and said any talk about limiting players from a certain team is bunk.
“I kind of heard quite a bit this year that we should only get three max, but I don’t see why not four?” Green said to ESPN. “If winning has been the [blueprint to get four stars in] every year, why should it change up?”
Green pointed out that a lot of All-Stars shifted to the West over the NBA’s offseason, but the fact remains that the NBA champions are still playing like champions and should be rewarded as such.
“Just because probably so many guys came over to the West in the offseason,” Green answered. “With Jimmy [Butler] coming over, with Carmelo Anthony coming over, KAT [Karl-Anthony Towns] obviously an up-and-comer. That’s probably why it’s more of a debate now, but I don’t see why it should change. Our record is pretty good.”
The last non-Warriors’ team to get four was the 2015 Atlanta Hawks, consisting of Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Al Horford and Paul Millsap. Excluding the Warriors’ run, a group of four on the same team making the All-Star squad has occurred seven times, with the Boston Celtics achieving it on three occasions.
No team has ever sent four All-Stars in back-to-back years, a feat which Green said “would be crazy.”
And he does make a good point: it’s not Golden State’s fault they sparked a proverbial arms race in an effort to match up. Even then, those efforts have not exactly panned out thus far. Until the Dubs stop being the force of nature that they are, they’re going to dominate All-Star voting and All-Star Games. There’s really not much anyone can do about it until the dynasty ends.
