If you only paid attention to what has happened on the court, you would probably think that Draymond Green and LeBron James hated each other. If you thought that, then you probably watched the two battle countless times during the four straight NBA Finals they encountered each other in, while LeBron was on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
However, the two actually have plenty of respect for each other, and may actually like each other. The two interact a good amount as they both are represented by Klutch Sports Agency, and LeBron even had Draymond on his HBO show, The Shop.
Draymond usually speaks pretty highly of LeBron, and continued that in an appearance on CNBC’s “Power Lunch”. Here’s what Draymond said about LeBron and his off-court impact (h/t Silver Screen & Roll):
*on the player movement in the NBA creating buzz all year round*
It has a lot of people talking and obviously that’s a huge and large credit to LeBron James. You know, with what he’s done in his career that’s kind of shown everybody else the power that you have as a player. And that’s, you know, that’s why you saw the movement this year is because the athlete, the basketball players have taken control of their own future. We’ve taken control of our destiny. And I think a lot of people hate that but I think that’s one of – you know, everybody celebrates LeBron for his basketball career and the things he’s been able to accomplish. I think the doors that he’s opened for athletes and especially basketball players is his biggest accomplishment.
Draymond’s words definitely show the reverence he shows for his fellow NBA superstar and on-court rival. You can tell he appreciates the way LeBron has paved for the other players in the NBA.
He then goes on to say that is LeBron’s biggest accomplishment, which may be a stretch. I mean, we are talking about a man who brought the state of Ohio its first major sports championship in 50+ years. He also started a school for underprivileged kids in his hometown. The accomplishment of giving the other NBA players power to better decide their futures is huge for the overall future of the sport, but I would say it’s nowhere close to the two aforementioned moments.
