The Draymond Green Show w/Baron Davis: Rockets-Warriors preview, Steph & Jimmy SCORCHING Grizzlies in NBA Play-In

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "The Draymond Green Show w/Baron Davis: Rockets-Warriors Preview, Steph & Jimmy SCORCHING Grizzlies in NBA Play-In"

Release Date: April 18, 2025
Hosts: Draymond Green and Baron Davis
Platform: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Description: In this episode, Draymond Green and Baron Davis dive deep into the latest NBA action, offering previews of the Rockets-Warriors matchup and analyzing Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler's standout performances against the Grizzlies in the NBA Play-In tournament.

---

1. Ryan Coogler’s Film 'Sinners'

Draymond Green opens the episode by expressing his admiration for Ryan Coogler’s latest film, "Sinners." He marvels at Coogler's ability to visualize and execute his creative vision, handling multiple roles from writing to directing and producing alongside his wife, Zinzi.

• Notable Quote:
  Draymond Green [02:01]: "I'm still sitting here trying to process how his mind was able to visualize and then actually take a pen and put to paper writing this film..."

Baron Davis adds his perspective, highlighting the film's powerful messages set in the 1930s that resonate with contemporary issues, and praises Michael B. for his dual role performances.

---

2. Significant Front Office Moves: Joe Dumars and Scott Perry

The hosts discuss recent impactful front office changes, specifically Joe Dumars joining the New Orleans Pelicans and Scott Perry taking the helm as General Manager of the Sacramento Kings. They emphasize the importance of bringing seasoned basketball minds back into team management.

• Notable Quote:
  Draymond Green [05:27]: "Obvious to my guys, no doubt. But it excited me because people are ready to get back to basketball."

Baron Davis echoes this sentiment, expressing excitement over the potential for more former athletes to transition into executive roles, citing examples like Landry Fields and Kyle Korver in Atlanta.

---

3. Playoff Previews: Key NBA Matchups

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing upcoming playoff matchups, providing insights into team strengths, player performances, and potential outcomes.

a. Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks

They evaluate the Hawks' injury woes, noting key players like Capella and Jalen Johnson are out, while commending Miami's defensive prowess and playoff experience.

• Notable Quote:
  Baron Davis [08:29]: "Jalen Johnson out. Capela out. Here's the thing..."

b. Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies

The discussion focuses on Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis for the Mavericks versus Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. for the Grizzlies. They debate which team holds the upper hand given recent performances.

• Notable Quote:
  Draymond Green [10:39]: "It's hard to go against AD and Clay, who's at home."

c. Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers

With Damian Lillard sidelined, the spotlight shifts to Giannis Antetokounmpo's elevated performance and the Pacers' resilience. They analyze how the Pacers can challenge the Bucks despite missing a star player.

• Notable Quote:
  Baron Davis [49:03]: "We just got the Pacers to win this series."

d. Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics

They assess the Celtics' edge despite Jalen Brown's knee issues and the Magic's potential driven by talents like Paolo and Wagner, predicting a Celtics dominance but acknowledging the Magic's capability to surprise.

• Notable Quote:
  Baron Davis [52:11]: "I think the Magic can get one because I think Paolo is that talented."

e. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

The conversation explores the Timberwolves' quest for revenge against the Lakers, analyzing key players like Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, and how coaching strategies will influence the series.

• Notable Quote:
  Draymond Green [53:08]: "I think the matchup to watch is Bron versus Julius."

f. Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers

They break down the Nuggets' reliance on Russell Westbrook and the Clippers' strong bench depth. The impact of coaching, particularly Ty Lue's experience versus Mike Malone's, is highlighted as a decisive factor.

• Notable Quote:
  Baron Davis [55:45]: "I'd say talent, overall talent and the way they're playing... I gotta bet on the Clippers in six."

---

4. Player Highlights: Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler

A focal point is the exceptional performances of Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. Draymond shares an anecdote about Curry advising him on shooting strategy, showcasing Curry's leadership and growth as a player. Baron praises Curry's expanded skill set, noting his improved mid-range game and defensive capabilities.

• Notable Quote:
  Draymond Green [23:06]: "Steph would never say not to shoot, but that's how I wanted to hear what he was saying."
  Baron Davis [26:00]: "He has to become more of a director, like Ryan Coogler."

---

5. Playoff Preparation and Strategy

Both hosts emphasize the importance of meticulous preparation for playoff series, drawing from Draymond's experiences under coach Tom Izzo. They discuss the depth of film study and strategic planning required to outmaneuver opponents in the high-stakes environment of the playoffs.

• Notable Quote:
  Draymond Green [28:04]: "I'm obsessed with everything about them. Like, just obsessed with it."

Baron adds that playoff preparation demands a higher level of detail, likening it to crafting a comprehensive dissertation rather than relying on quick summaries used during the regular season.

---

6. Personal Anecdotes and Banter

Throughout the episode, Draymond and Baron engage in light-hearted banter and personal stories, enhancing the conversational and relatable nature of the podcast. They reminisce about past playoff experiences, discuss mutual support for teams like the Pistons and Knicks, and share insights into their personal growth and perspectives on basketball.

• Notable Quote:
  Baron Davis [61:28]: "I have a confession to make. I wanted to be white because..."
  Draymond Green [62:47]: "I'm keeping my focus on the playoffs, guys."

---

7. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Draymond and Baron conclude the episode with optimistic takes on the upcoming playoffs, expressing enthusiasm for the intense competition and the opportunity to witness elite-level basketball. They reinforce their commitment to providing insightful analysis and engaging discussions for their listeners.

• Notable Quote:
  Draymond Green [63:17]: "That's going to be a wrap from this episode. That is the Draymond Green show. Aaron Davis. We out here. Love you all."

---

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and memorable moments from the episode, offering listeners an engaging overview even if they haven't tuned into the full podcast.

Transcript

[T-Mobile Representative]

T Mobile stats are as impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network. Switch now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off up to $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com keepandswitch up to 4 lines of your virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service support in 90 plus days device knowledgeable carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and expires in six months.

[Talkspace Representative]

You know when you're really stressed or not feeling so great about your life or about yourself, Talking to someone who understands can really help. But who is that person? How do you find them? Where do you even start? Talkspace. Talkspace makes it easy to get the support you need. With Talkspace, you can go online, answer a few questions about your preferences and be matched with a therapist. And because you'll meet your therapist online, you you don't have to take time off work or arrange childcare. You'll meet on your schedule wherever you feel most at ease. If you're depressed, stressed, struggling with a relationship, or if you want some counseling for you and your partner or just need a little extra one on one support, Talkspace is here for you. Plus, Talkspace works with most major insurers and most insured members have a $0 copay. No insurance, no problem. Now get $80 off of your first month with promo code SPACE80 when you go to talkspace.com match with a licensed therapist today at talk. Save $80 with code [e-mail] the volume.

[Draymond Green]

What up everybody? Welcome back to the Draymond Green show with my brother, Baron Davis. How you feeling, big dog?

[Baron Davis]

Feeling good, man. I'm feeling good. It's playoff time.

[Draymond Green]

Yes, it is, bro. Yes it is. I can't wait before we get into the playoffs though, bro. I went to see the centers last night. Ryan Coogler, the movie.

[Baron Davis]

Oh, tell me about it.

[Draymond Green]

I'm still sitting here trying to process how, how his mind was able to visualize and then actually take a pen and put to paper writing this film, writing this script. And then for him to step back and say, I'm going to be the director of this film. And so direct. You're casting, you're, you know, you're doing everything. You're putting everything in place as the director of this film. And then he produced the film, him and his wife Zinzi And I'm just trying to figure out how this brother from Oakland, from the town, can take his mind to that place and deliver that film that I watched yesterday. He's had some of the most incredible work we've seen. Yep. Fruitvale Station, Black Panther, you name it.

[Baron Davis]

Yep.

[Draymond Green]

Sinners.

[Baron Davis]

It's crazy.

[Draymond Green]

Gotta be his best work ever.

[Baron Davis]

Okay.

[Draymond Green]

But that movie is so incredible. There's so many different messages. And it's like, set back in the 1930s.

[Baron Davis]

Yeah. That's the time. That's the era.

[Draymond Green]

But the things that they talking about in the film is like things of today. But it's set in the 30s. It's. Man, it's powerful.

[Baron Davis]

Wow.

[Draymond Green]

And there's so many different messages within the movie. Like, I'm actually excited to see it again when it releases. I'm gonna go see it. I know that there are some messages I missed. Like, there are so many different messages in the movie, but. Shout out to Ryan Coogler. Wow. Man. Michael, Michael. Michael B. Is amazing in there. He's playing two different characters as cousins.

[Baron Davis]

But, like, he can't get a movie away, though. Yeah, we don't know that yet.

[Draymond Green]

Well, that's in the breakdown of the film.

[Baron Davis]

No, it ain't.

[Draymond Green]

That is out there.

[Baron Davis]

It's not in the trailer, dog.

[Draymond Green]

For sure. That's out there for sure. Cause, Hazel, before I saw the film, I saw Michael B. Talking about he's playing two different characters.

[Baron Davis]

Oh, yeah. They give it interviews and all that. Yeah.

[Draymond Green]

Michael B. Talked about playing two different characters.

[Baron Davis]

Hey, don't be that dude to get a movie.

[Draymond Green]

So I ain't giving the movie away. Michael B. Talks already spoke about.

[Baron Davis]

Okay?

[Draymond Green]

I saw him and I saw Cool speak about him playing the two different roles. And I saw Michael B. Speak about playing the two different roles. So I'm gonna leave it there, please.

[Baron Davis]

But the film, it was crazy.

[Draymond Green]

Oh, my God. Wow. Unbelievable.

[Baron Davis]

I can't wait to see it.

[Draymond Green]

I was happy to get a day off. See, Sinners, I appreciate the invite. Cool Took the wife. We had a blast. That was incredible. But now it's time to get back to this basketball, man. And before we start talking playoffs, I wanted to mention something to you, B.D. that excited me. Joe Dumars to the New Orleans Pelicans, big time. Scott Perry, Bingo. To the Sacramento Kings, big time. He's the general manager. What that said to me is. It excited me?

[Baron Davis]

Come on.

[Draymond Green]

Obviously, to my guys, for sure. No doubt. But what that said to me is people ready to get back to basketball.

[Baron Davis]

Yes.

[Draymond Green]

Like let's bring back these real basketball minds.

[Baron Davis]

Minds. Thank you.

[Draymond Green]

That's what those two moves said to me. We ain't even started the playoffs yet and those two moves being made. Let's get back to real basketball now. Congratulations to those two guys with those two franchises. I think they, they. Those are some incredible hires.

[Baron Davis]

Nah, man. I think, you know, for somebody like me who know the game, talk the game, you know, dealing, investments, marketing, all that, like to see the Joe Dumars and the Scott Perrys, you know, you see people who are qualified for the job, I get excited. Cause I'm like, damn, I'll go work for Scott Perry. I'll go work for Joe Dumars. Right? But it opened up the door. I think it's going to open up the door for a lot of other former athletes. You look at the Landry Fields and Kyle Korver, what they doing in Atlanta, right? There was a regime of the James Jones and that was an early regime. But now you're looking at it and you're like, oh, there could be some new blood, some new intelligence. And to your point, the NBA is getting back to great basketball minds, finding great talent, putting together great teams, Right? The analytics will take you so far, Right. But it will also, similar to tech, you can't scale, right? And so if analytics is telling you to draft this person, but you drafted the same person last year, and then you already have someone that's the star in that position. You know, that's why you're saying, you know, every team can't play like the Boston Celtics, like the Golden State Warriors. You gotta have a style. And analytics can't create a style for you.

[Draymond Green]

That's right.

[Baron Davis]

And that comes in mixing and matching personalities, intellect and talent. And so I love the fact that Joe D. And Scott Perry were the first hires even before the season is over. Because I think that sets the tone for the summer, that sets the tone for free agency. And then we'll see the Pelicans and the Sacramento Kings improve 1000%.

[Draymond Green]

I think we'll also see there's going to be coaching hires.

[Baron Davis]

Yep.

[Draymond Green]

I think this sets the tone for that as well. It's time to get back to real basketball, guys. So that's fire. And just moving towards playoff basketball. Which of these teams in the final play in games do you believe could challenge the number one seed in the east or West? You got the Heat versus the Hawks. You got the Mavs versus the Grizzlies, I guess. Who you taking in those games?

[Baron Davis]

I think the Hawks Too banged up.

[Draymond Green]

Capella out. Jalen Johnson out.

[Baron Davis]

Jalen Johnson out. Capela out. Here's the thing. We play so bad in this seventh game that we can't have two bad games. Right. But then it's also like we play so bad and we going home with a pressure of, you know, the heat coming off a. A big road win. Right. Yeah, there's a dynamic there. And it depends on, you know, which Atlanta Hawk teams show up.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah, well, I think Trey. I think Trey definitely gonna come back with Avengers. And in a one game scenario against Trey, Young can get tough.

[Baron Davis]

That can get real tough. Cause he can take over.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah. He can go for 30, 32 and 12, and all of a sudden you look up and it's tight. But I do think Miami looked really good the other day.

[Baron Davis]

But Miami defends.

[Draymond Green]

They do defend and they look really good.

[Baron Davis]

Yeah. Out of the teams in the play in, in the East, Miami looked like they were the most poised to play playoff basketball, even more so than Orlando. They came out and, you know, they was punching.

[Draymond Green]

They were.

[Baron Davis]

And they never. And they never stopped punching. Right.

[Draymond Green]

So they got the experience, too. Bam has played in NBA Finals. Tyler Heroes played in NBA Finals. Wiggins is an NBA champion. Kyle Anderson's played a bunch of NBA, played off basketball. Alec Burks has played playoff basketball. So this is going to be a good game experience. They got this. Haywood Highsmith played playoff basketball, Duncan Robinson's playoff basketball. So they got the advantage from an experience standpoint, for sure. And then you got Mavs. Mavs, Grizzlies. Mavs looked good last night. Clay got it going. AD got it going. They moved Najee Marshall into the starting lineup. Listen, we just putting our best five out there.

[Baron Davis]

Yep, yep.

[Draymond Green]

And they looked good last night. They dominated the Kings. They did. They dominated. So who you got Mavs going to? Grizzlies.

[Baron Davis]

It's hard to bet against the Grizzlies, especially the way they played against Shaw. But it's hard to go against AD and Clay, who's at home.

[Draymond Green]

They in Memphis? Oh, yeah. But just like, just like the East, Dallas coming off a huge road win.

[Baron Davis]

Huge road win. Can Dallas do it twice? Can they salvage the season? I mean, I love to see the Mavericks play OKC in the first round, but the Grizzlies would give OKC a run for their money.

[Draymond Green]

They give. Do you think they give them more trouble?

[Baron Davis]

Yeah, I think they give OKC a lot more trouble than what the Mavs will present. But I don't know. The Mavs, you can't count the Mavericks out, right? They got some Hoopers over there. They got Lively got. He's back, right? You got AD Back. You got Clay there. So, you know, you. Najee Marshall is playing great for them. Who is it? Dim. Witty.

[Draymond Green]

Yep.

[Baron Davis]

He's playing. They got players, they got Hoopers. So if it turns into, you know, like a hoop game, I think advantage to Dallas.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah, man. Dimwitty played two minutes last night.

[Baron Davis]

Oh, did he?

[Draymond Green]

He got in at the end of the game last night. He took him out of the rotation.

[Baron Davis]

Wow. Well, they don't have Dinwiddie.

[Draymond Green]

They played the young kid, Brandon Williams, who been playing well. He had 17 and five in 17 minutes.

[Baron Davis]

Hey, look, he can get busy.

[Draymond Green]

He tough. He is tough. He put a Euro on me when we played there in Dallas. I was like, whoa, who is this dude?

[Baron Davis]

Where you going, buddy?

[Draymond Green]

Bow. Oh, right hand finish, right foot. I was like, whoa. All right, Lock in green. He can play. I like the kid, Brandon Williams. So, yeah, they playing him over there with him.

[Baron Davis]

Oh, PJ Washington is back. That's why PJ.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah, PJ 17. Nine or four, two steals, plus 28.

[Baron Davis]

Dallas matchup with Memphis. Great. It's going to be, you know, 80. Triple J is going to be. Can John Morant dominate in a game like this? And what does John Morant dominating look like?

[Draymond Green]

Yes. If bang gets you 25, Jaren gets you 20 to 25. Ja need to get you 20 to 25 with 8 to 10 assists. I think that's dominated for Ja right now with this team taking over at the right time as well, though. Like, you know, he gotta get guys involved, make timely buckets. I think test the three early, like, see if he can get the Trey ball going early. If not, he always knew he can get to the paint, but I think he need to mix it up for sure.

[Baron Davis]

When I watch his game, there's a level of awareness and understanding that once he figures out, okay, Bane is good for this, you know, if I can get this out of Triple J, if I can go get 12 from him, Pippin, let me get 14 and start to play from a script, right? He needs to come to the game with his own playbook so he knows when to score, when to shoot, when to pass, who to pass to, right? I feel right now it's talent and leadership and gusto, right? And energy and just being a dog. His mind needs to take his game, will take his game to another level because then he wouldn't have to work that hard. He's too talented. To have to work that hard to put up 30 against y'all and have that type of game. But the impact, right, he didn't. He didn't dominate the game with all the different tools that he has, right? It was like a good matchup with Steph. But if Steph do that and J you getting 30, like, there's no way you should lose, right? And I think he needs to become more of a. A director, right? He has to be more of the Ryan Coogler. You got to know your cast, you got to know your script, and you walk into the game, you got to know, okay, oh, shit, let me take these pages out. This shit not working. Let me fast forward and skip ahead to where I need to be in the third quarter, in the middle of the second quarter, right? But the great ones, that's. That's what Steph does. That's what the Draymond Greens does. That's what the LeBron like. You have to have a script going into the game, knowing how you can make everybody better.

[Draymond Green]

That's high level point guard talk right there. Bd. Elite level point guard talk. I can't necessarily speak to that. I'm not an elite point guard, although I do think I'm a point guard.

[Baron Davis]

You are. You play the point. You play stuff like a point.

[Draymond Green]

But I do try to think the game and see the game from a point guard lens. But, you know, I try to do that.

[Baron Davis]

Yeah. You like the point forward. You start the offense. All right. Man, speaking of playing, we gotta see play in playoff, Jimmy. How about that? Talking about 38, 38, 7, 6 versus Memphis. He also had a great game versus the Clippers. How do you feed off of this playoff, Jimmy? You know, going into this series versus.

[Draymond Green]

Houston, man, I like it. It's crazy because you kind of just making that adjustment to it, though, you know, like, he turned it up 10 notches the last two games. And so seeing that now and being able to make the adjustment, I'm excited to start these playoffs because I can figure out more and more just other different ways and spots to get to in order to take advantage of everything that he's bringing. And I can finish better around the rim to take advantage of everything he's bringing. So it's been crazy to watch someone elevate their level of play like he has the last two games. And he been saying he's like, yo, the playoffs, I'm different. Like, and I play different. And he definitely played different. So I'm excited as hell, man. He make the game so much more easy for me and everybody out there. Like get to the right spots and let him do what he do. He incredible, man. It's amazing to watch to watch someone raise their level like the way he's raised his level these last two games. Like I'm obviously accustomed to like raising the level in the playoffs and the success we've had. You have to do that. But to see someone else do that like so up close, that's crazy. It's wild, man. Like yeah. I mean, totally different player on both sides of the floor. It's crazy. And he was already really good, right?

[Baron Davis]

But like it's different now. It's a whole. Yeah.

[DraftKings Representative]

The NBA 82 game grind is done. Now the real fun begins. The NBA playoffs. Love them. They're here. Time for drama. Clutch moments. Steph Curry, LeBron jaw dropping plays. I can't wait. If you're looking to make the playoffs Even more exciting, DraftKings sportsbook has you covered. They're the official sports betting partner of the NBA, playing games all the way to the finals. Now's the time to back your favorite players and teams as they chase glory. So all season long, DraftKings been the go to spot for NBA player props. That doesn't stop now. If you want to make your playoff experience even more intense, try placing a bet on your favorite players performance. Will they drop 30? 40? Who knows?

[T-Mobile Representative]

Or more.

[DraftKings Representative]

It's your call. If you're ready to place your first bet, download the DraftKings sportsbook app. Takes 90 seconds, lock in your bets and let's make the playoffs. Unforgettable. Here's something special for first timers. DraftKings customers that are new bet five bucks. That's it. Five bucks. And get 200 in bonus bets instantly. Just make it a playoff run. To remember with DraftKings. Download their sportsbook app takes 90 seconds. The codes Colin C O L I N. That is code Colin. New customers get 200 bucks in bonus bets. Betting just five only on DraftKings. The crown is yours.

[Gambling Helpline Representative]

Gambling problem. Call 1-800- gambler in New York. Call 8778-Hopeny or text hopeny467-369 in Connecticut. Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boothill Casino and Resort in Kansas, 21 and over. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario, new customers only. Bonus bets expire 168. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG Co Audio T Mobile's stats.

[T-Mobile Representative]

Are as impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network switch. Now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off up to $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com KeepAndSwitch up to four lines of a virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualified unlock device, credit service port in 90 plus days device and eligible carrier and timely redemption. Required card is no cash access and expires in six.

[Talkspace Representative]

You know when you're really stressed or not feeling so great about your life or about yourself? Talking to someone who understands can really help. But who is that person? How do you find them? Where do you even start? Talkspace Talkspace makes it easy to get the support you need. With Talkspace you can go online, answer a few questions about your preferences, and be matched with a therapist. And because you'll meet your therapist online, you don't have to take time off work or arrange childcare. You'll meet on your schedule wherever you feel most at ease. If you're depressed, stressed, struggling with a relationship, or if you want some counseling for you and your partner or just need a little extra one on one support, Talkspace is here for you. Plus, Talkspace works with most major insurers and most insured members have a $0 copay. No insurance, no problem. Now get $80 off of your first month with promo code space80 when you go to talkspace.com match with a licensed therapist today at talk. Save $80 with code [e-mail].

[Baron Davis]

He posted on IG once upon a time there was a 7 seed. To be continued. And we know how Jimmy is with his his playoff post. What's your take on that? How do you, how do you feel about that? Is that the energy for the team?

[Draymond Green]

That's definitely the energy for the team. Listen, we just need to get in and we've been saying it the whole time, just get in the playoffs. Don't matter what seed. Didn't really want to be in the play in all right, that happened. Let's get it done. Let's get in. And now it's go time. Like we in and we know what it takes. We got the experience like we got the squad, we got the pieces, we got the lineups. We got obviously the, the don that is Steve Kerr. We got, you know, we got everything and it's right there for us. So once upon a time, there was a seventh seed. To be continued.

[Baron Davis]

I love that. And you communicate, you know, it's not just Draymond communicating. Jimmy, you're seeing Steph, you know, after you took that three pointer in the fourth quarter, I saw Steph say something to you, right? So Steph is talking. What did he say, by the way?

[Draymond Green]

You know, he said. I said in my press conference, I was like, yo, Steph, in a very nice way, told me not to shoot. Steph would never say not shoot, but that's how I wanted to hear what he was saying. And so he came to me and he was like, yo, I took the shot. I missed it. And like you said, it was one of the ones that I wanted to get back. Cause I need to just settle in, raise up. I was supposed to knock that down. I was so mad. As soon as I let it go.

[Baron Davis]

I remember she was so anxious.

[Draymond Green]

Exactly. I started thinking about making the shot. Like, ah, Ah.

[Baron Davis]

I felt that one. I felt that one.

[Draymond Green]

And I was like, ah. But he came over to me. He was like, yo, we need to get to this action. And it's an action that we like to get to. He's like, yo, we need to get to this. And I was like, all right, say no more. And pretty much what he was saying was, I want you to get the ball in the same spot that you just got it.

[Baron Davis]

Yeah.

[Draymond Green]

I don't want you to take the shot. I want you to get me the ball so I could take the shot.

[Baron Davis]

Yeah.

[Draymond Green]

And so I want you to get the ball right back where you were. But I want to take the shot.

[Baron Davis]

Yeah.

[Draymond Green]

It's pretty much what he said in layman's terms. And I was like, oh, say no more. Hey, yo, go right back to that. And we went right back to it. And he took the shot. And if you see when he made the shot, he turned to me and said, yeah, I told you, fool. Let's go. And so let's go, man. But it's crazy because, as you know, I've been playing with Steph for 13 years, and I feel like I've seen his growth as a basketball player, because after year three and all the ankle injuries was really when Steph basketball career started. Like, it's really when his NBA career started, after all. And I was right here for that year where I felt like his career really started.

[Baron Davis]

Yeah.

[Draymond Green]

So to watch the growth from that point and for him to come to me and be like, yo, all right, so just boom, boom, we need to. Like, that's the growth that I'm, I'm most impressed by. Obviously, the shot, the shot making, the everything. Like, all of that stuff is incredible. But for me, I've seen it from the inside the entire time. And, like, that's the growth for me where everybody's like, man, Steph became this, who he's become, obviously. But it's that right there that I appreciate the most because that growth right there encompasses so many different areas of growth. It encompasses his voice, you know, like, he didn't always have that voice right there all these years. Like, that's something that he grew into, you know, and like, ability to read the defenses and see the floor. He's always been able to see the floor, but he see the floor at such an elite level now.

[Baron Davis]

It's crazy.

[Draymond Green]

And the timeliness, like, it was so timely. Like, and so those are the areas of growth where I'm like, where people see, like, we have a certain connection on the court. Right, right. That's what. The ones where I'll be sitting back like, wow, like, even, like, where I'd be amazed because I can remember those situations even seven years ago, five years ago. And he wouldn't have said that.

[Baron Davis]

He wouldn't have said nothing.

[Draymond Green]

He wouldn't have said nothing.

[Baron Davis]

He wouldn't have said nothing.

[Draymond Green]

That's the whole thing.

[Baron Davis]

I was saying this when y'all lost to the Lakers in the playoffs. I think it went to one game, I was yelling like, bro, you gotta get downhill. Like, they respect your three so much. You gotta get downhill. Now you're seeing him shoot more free throws.

[Draymond Green]

Yes.

[Baron Davis]

Then my next thing was like, how does Steph Curry improve and elevate to the next level? He's shooting mid range shots. We know that you have these hallelujah threes and you can catch. You can catch the holy ghost. But it's all of the other things that he's doing, the trust in teammates, the making plays for teammates, even playing better defense that don't get recognized. And that's what I see. I just love the. I love that as he's aged, it's become the most acquired taste. Right. And an evolution of, yeah, I started this revolution of three point shooting, but, like, look at me as I got older, I am like an elite, elite basketball player. When you try to dissect all the, all the things he does.

[Draymond Green]

Remember to subscribe to the Draymond Green show with Baron Davis, so you don't miss any episodes.

[Baron Davis]

And don't forget to follow us on all social media DraymondShow. All right, Dub Nation, it's time we look at the Houston Rockets matchup. When I would prepare for a playoff series, I would basically, like, create a new playlist. I sit in my room, just watch the games, right? And vibe out to my playlist and really kind of hold up, right? Start creating my cave. What does your level of preparation for a playoff series look like?

[Draymond Green]

Oh, man. You know what's crazy, bd is so when we start these playoff series, since Steve has been here, the level of detail we go through to start the playoffs, to start the series off, is. Is so intense. And like. Like, you gotta dial in. And I always tell people when you win a championship, it's not the winning championship moment that you remember. Because if I'm honest, it's a blur. Like, it happened. And it's like, what the hell, man? Like what? And then, like, it's so crazy. Like, it's out of body, you know?

[Baron Davis]

Yeah.

[Draymond Green]

But what you remember the most is the journey. And our journey starts with this crazy lock in on detail. And like, I played for Tom Izzo, and the way Tom Izzo, the film, the level of film we used to watch, like, I feel like I watch film differently than most, even coaches do because of the way Tom Izzo taught me how to watch film. And so the level of preparation that goes into a playoff series takes me back to my foundation. After the Clipper game, all I could think about was like, man, we gotta win this game. Because I want that first film session. Like, that first film session, we have to start a playoff series. I want that so bad. That's the best feeling I've experienced that. And so that's all I could think about was just like, getting to this. Like, we gotta get in. So we get this first, like, this film session. Like, I love the start of that. And so my level of preparation for a playoff series, like, I, like, I dive in to this team immediately because I want to know everything. Like, I want to know everything that they do. Like, you gotta be obsessive with everything about them. Like, just obsessed with it. And so. And that's the beauty of the playoffs. Like, you get the opportunity to play a team for seven games straight. Like, you get the opportunity to know a team, you just consume yourself with this. And basketball. And I love basketball. So this is my favorite time of the year, like. Cause you just get to lock in on what you do.

[Baron Davis]

That's everything. Cause think about during the season, you getting Cliff Notes. Cause you got another game. So it make Cliff Notes on the Rockets. Cliff Notes on the Rockets. You don't play them four times. You familiar with them, you know what they do. But when them playoffs come, you get full, a full menu, detail, dissertation, white papers. You get all that.

[Draymond Green]

Hell yeah.

[Baron Davis]

And you get a whole week to see the same people every day. So there's a, a level of studying that goes to a whole nother echelon. And it's like you're checking off all these details and notes and the detailed notes. When you watch it in on tape, you're like, oh, that's how I stop them. Because during the regular season you're like, damn, dude, I got. Sometimes you like, damn, I gotta play against this dude. He always play good against me in the playoffs. It's like, why is this happening?

[DraftKings Representative]

Right?

[Draymond Green]

Exactly. You can lock in on it.

[Baron Davis]

Yeah, you get to really, really lock in, man. Like, talk about your excitement about one, just a matchup. And, and have y'all had your first film session yet?

[Draymond Green]

We'll have our first film session today, but I'm excited about the matchup. I think, you know, this, this young team is, you know, they've, they've gotten a lot better. And when I say gotten a lot better, like you look at the team last year to the, this two seed, like they were, I think they were like the 14 seed or 12 seed or something like that last year. They're hungry and they want what we've experienced before. And so be that you've been in that position before, you know exactly how they feel, you know? You know, like you can always rewind back to like, man, when we were in that position, like what that feels like. And you can put yourself in those shoes, which can in a sense help you prepare in a different way because you know what to expect. And so I'm excited as hell about the matchup. You know, we've played Ime Udoka in the playoffs in the NBA finals, you know, we know what his teams bring, you know, and so I'm excited about the matchup. Hey, just being back in the playoffs, man.

[Baron Davis]

Right, right.

[Draymond Green]

Being back in the playoffs, having that opportunity to compete at the highest level is incredible. But then this is a young team, you know, a team that we went three and two with this year. Three and two against. We played one extra time because of the play in game. It's always a good matchup. Like it requires you to lock in if you want to beat them. It requires a level of locking in a level of toughness that you have to bring to the game. And you know, I love those challenges. Anytime you have a challenge like that, we are the underdog. You know, there, there's the we're two seat. They're two seat, we're seven seats.

[Baron Davis]

Like, to be the underdog, baby, we.

[Draymond Green]

Haven'T been able to play.

[Baron Davis]

Now it's like, okay, two seven, let's go.

[Draymond Green]

Absolutely. You know, and obviously we don't view ourselves as an ordinary seven seat, but it is what it is. We're the seven seat. We got to start off on the road, you know, and, and battle, test it. That's always fun when you get the opportunity to start on the road, you know. And so, man, I'm just excited, man, to playoff basketball is back. You about to see guys ascend to an elite level. And I'm just excited to be a part of that again. Man, I used to take for granted just making it to the playoffs. You know, when you do something over and over again, you like, oh, yeah, that's just how it goes. Like, I don't take that for granted.

[DraftKings Representative]

No.

[Draymond Green]

More like, so to be in the playoffs with an opportunity to compete for Larry, that's what I'm most excited about.

[Baron Davis]

We also, you know, they talk about bench players representing the starters on the scout team. Usually you get to see the dude who don't score a lot in practice bust everybody ass, that part. So, like, like, I love to be on the scout team because, like, I remember it was Darrell Armstrong, he was Allen Iverson, he was in practice murdering us.

[Draymond Green]

That's great. That's how it used to go, right?

[Baron Davis]

Like, like them dudes on the bench can't wait to put on that superstar cape and practice and get it, get a starter's fits. But that's another great way of preparation for the playoffs, right? It's just, it raises the level of practice and looking at Steve Kerr saying, oh, yeah, I get the next two days off. You know, some fans may be like, well, why they get two days off, man? Steve Kerr gotta go prepare these white papers. And we need one day of Phil to lock in. Then we gonna get one good hard practice right where we can get up and down, right? We can see what they pace feel like. And then the next practice we're going to get some shots. We gonna walk through. Everything is detailed. Save your legs. Let's go to war.

[Draymond Green]

Let's get it. Let's get it. This guy's been here before, people. He's been here before. Let's move around the league. We'll take it to the Eastern Conference First Knicks number three seed Knicks versus the six seed Pistons. This series is going to be interesting because it's the clash of different styles in a way, but kind of similar. Like the Knicks grind it out a bit at times, but the Pistons really grinding it out, you know, like they fighting you and that's the attitude they coming with. You got the Pistons back in the playoffs. I told y'all this team has embodied that bad boy mentality. I'mma tell you, an underrated piece in this series is Dennis Schroeder. Dennis Schroeder is different in these playoffs, man. Dennis Schroeder is, is bringing a level of experience to that Pistons team in these playoffs that is going to help stabilize that team with young guys that ain't been there much. You know, Cade ain't been there. Stu ain't been there. You know, you got these young guys. Jaylen Durant ain't been there. You got these young guys that ain't been in the playoffs. And then you got DS who been in meaningful playoff series and bringing that level of experience. You got Jared Jack on that bench who's played and brings the level of experience. From the coaching standpoint, Tobias Harris has been there, right? So you got a couple stabilizers that I think helps this Pistons team out. And then they got, you know, they got a level of physicality that they come with and then K's an incredible player, you know. And so I think the Pistons can get a Knicks problems in this series. I don't think this is a cakewalk. You know, Stu go going to. Stu and Jaylen Durant, they going. They going to rough Carl Anthony Towns up. Carl Anthony Towns got to bring his hard hat to this matchup because those two guys are going to. They going to try to rough. I mean, listen, he can draw him out, but they going to take those files and they want to try to make him quit. You know what I'm saying? Like that's going to be their mentality is to try to make him quit.

[Baron Davis]

When you file out six fouls, that's 12 points.

[Draymond Green]

The playoffs, man, they ain't call it the playoffs, man.

[Baron Davis]

Okay, don't call it. I'm still cook there. Like I'll be waiting. Like if I'm cat, I'll be waiting. I would be waiting for them.

[Draymond Green]

That's fine. He gotta cook. My story. He has to cook in order for them to win this series. It ain't your typical first round series. He gotta cook. He has to cook.

[Baron Davis]

To me, this is the best first round Series. That and matchup that the Knicks could have got. Because when they get over this series, they battle. They battle. Test it.

[Draymond Green]

I agree. I agree.

[Baron Davis]

Detroit going to push. They gonna fight. They go. They gonna hoop, too. The winner of this series, it boils down to this. Free throws. And who making shots.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah.

[Baron Davis]

Is Tobias. Go make shots. Is Beasley gonna make shots? Right. We know K gonna shoot the ball. Is K gonna make shots for the Knicks? Karl Anthony Towns has to play big. Mikel Bridges gotta make shots. OG Gotta make shots. And Jalen Brunson gotta. He gonna have to make shots, but he's also gonna have to distribute and be a playmaker. Cause the Pistons are. Are. Are physical. I love this matchup for Cat because they don't have nobody to guard him. And their solution is, oh, we're going to bully him. Well, you ain't going to bully Cat. That ain't going to happen. Cat ain't getting bullied.

[Draymond Green]

They're going to try.

[Baron Davis]

Not against the pins. They going to try. That's what I was trying to say. Trying to bully somebody versus trying to play basketball you already defeated.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah, but we can't act like Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Durant. Not good defenders.

[Baron Davis]

Yeah, but I'm saying if they're worried about bullying and not worried about defending him and bullying him that way, then Cat should be using that to his magic.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah. When I say bullying, I mean bringing a level of physicality. Like, literally, I'm saying, like, I follow him out, bringing a level. They're going to bring a level of physicality that Cat going to have to work through, and he going to have to adjust to it. Like, he going to have to adjust around that first game to the level of physicality that I think they're going to bring. That's just my opinion. But I'm gonna tell you a matchup that I think is very important in this series because I hold him in very high regard, and his length could be a problem. Asar Thompson guarding Jalen Brunson.

[Baron Davis]

That's why I say you gotta be a distributor.

[Draymond Green]

Because Jalen. Because the thing with Jalen Brunson is like, Jalen Brunson like to get to his spots, and he'll hit you with the body. Asar Thompson strong enough to take the hit. He's fast enough to keep up. He athletic enough to steal a contested shot, even if you do get a bump. And so I think that's a matchup. Like, Jalen Brunson is an all star. Jalen Brunson is all NBA Performer Jalen Brunson should be able to do what he do. But that's a matchup that I'm watching to see, like, how that turns out. Because Asar Thompson's a hell of a defender, man.

[Baron Davis]

Both times. I think so, too. That's why I was saying Jalen Brunson, he's going to have to score and distribute.

[Draymond Green]

Yes.

[Baron Davis]

Right.

[Draymond Green]

Can't just be score.

[Baron Davis]

The thing that I hate about a defender like an Asar Thompson is you can't get into their body. Like, you can't find them. So when you looking for a bump or you looking usually if it's a bigger guard or a bigger person guarding you, you can bump and you can find him, but you can't find him because he's, you know, he's so skinny.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah.

[Baron Davis]

And. And his limbs, you know, like, he's skinny and he wiry. So there's no way that you can actually bump and push off without his arms and his hands still being, you know, a half a step away. Right?

[Draymond Green]

Yes. Yeah.

[Baron Davis]

If Jalen Brunson can get inside the pick and roll, if he can get leverage on him, you know, in the basket and be able to use his footwork. But this kid is. Man, this kid is tall as hell. And it's hard to find him on defense because you're playing against basically his hands and his arms pretty much all the time. And you're not. You're not going to shoot the ball over him because he's athletic. So that's a fact. Let's go, Nick Tate. Let's go, Nick Tate.

[Draymond Green]

And the Petty has already started. The Detroit Pistons reportedly limit NBA playoff ticket sales to locals ahead of the Knicks matchup. You had to be. I think you have to have a Michigan Ohio.

[Baron Davis]

That's fire license plate or driver's license.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah. Like at a address to purchase tickets or something like that. So I'm rocking with it, Detroit. I'm rocking with it.

[Baron Davis]

Let's go, Detroit. I love Detroit. I love what they doing.

[Draymond Green]

Good luck to the Pistons. I'm rooting for the Pistons. You know why I gotta root for the Pistons. I wanna see the pist win. So let us go, Detroit. Shout out to the Pistons.

[Baron Davis]

Yeah, you know, I. I gotta go with who I think is gonna win the series. I think the Knicks is gonna win. Once a Nick, always a Knick. But I do love the Pistons. I'm torn because if you go back to the beginning of the year. What did I say? The Pistons are my team. The Pistons are my sleeper. Them and the Rockets. And so it's funny that both of these teams are in the playoffs playing against both of my teams and damn, those were the teams I was rooting for early in the year. But it should be a great, a great series. Shout out to Arn. Shout out to Trajan Langton, shout out to JB for the work that they doing and how they turned that program around.

[Draymond Green]

Luke Walton, Jared, Jack.

[Baron Davis]

Man, this could be one of the, one of the best series I think, in this first round matchup.

[Draymond Green]

George David in the front office. Hey, let's go Pistons, let's go.

[T-Mobile Representative]

T Mobile's stats are as impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network switch. Now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off up to $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more at t mobile.com. keepAndSwitch. Up to four lines of your virtual prepaid card. Allowed 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service port in 90 plus days device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required card has no cash access and expires in six months.

[Baron Davis]

All right, here we go. Stand in the east number four paces at the number five Bucks. Damian Lillard has been cleared but will most likely miss the start of the season of the Series. Sorry, he's clear, but he's supposed to miss like the first couple games of the series. How does Giannis carry the Bucks to the next round without Dane if he doesn't come back and then who do you think will win the series?

[Draymond Green]

Man, over the last couple years, the Pacers have really given the Bucks problems. Even with Dane was playing, they gave him problems. Giannis, this team has been different over the course of the last three weeks. Giannis has really stepped his level of play up. He's really looking like the Giannis, the younger Giannis that used to distribute a lot like Giannis earlier in his career, was a point guard, was a point guard and distributed the ball quite a bit. And he's looking like that player again, but only with the dominance of Giannis today. And so it's been incredible to watch this team over the last two weeks kind of find themselves without Dane in the absence of Dane and saying that this is playoff basketball and playoff basketball is a little different when you're talking to schemes and the detail that goes into a playoff series and you just be needing your top guys. So, you know, with Dame at least going to miss the first couple games of this series, no harm, no foul, because these are road games and these are two free swings in the playoff series. You don't have to win one of the first two road games. You just have to win one road game in the series. And so for them, this is a chance for them to know that, man, we, we more than likely got Dame coming back. Keep our fingers crossed for Dame Doll than likely got him coming back, but we going on the road without him. Right now we got two free swings. Let's just go steal one, you know, and so that's the mindset of them. I think Dame, Giannis will have to be great. My X factor is going to be. Gary Trent is going to be my X factor. You need him or Tori, and Prince has to shoot the ball really well. One or two, if you get both of them shooting well, you really in business. But if you can get him or Tory and Prince shooting well, I think that that's the X factor for them. So they just got to go. Still one. Ultimately in this series, I think it's hard to choose against players like Dame and Giannis. The Pacers have had their number, though. So ultimately, I think I am going to choose. With Dame's uncertainty, I'm going to choose the Pacers to win this series.

[Baron Davis]

Ooh, I didn't expect you to say that. I did not expect you to say that. I would have to agree. I do want to say this about Giannis. I love Giannis game. I think Giannis is doing what Steph Curry is doing, right. He's elevating the middle side of his game. He's elevating, you know, hey, I can evolve into a much greater player than I am that you think this. I'm just dominant, right. Back to the defense, back to the playmaking, back to the leadership, back to taking over. But more importantly, Giannis is starting to learn when to take over these games.

[Draymond Green]

Yep.

[Baron Davis]

And he giving these guys some freedom to explore, some freedom to make plays and play to their talent. And it's almost like before, his game required so much attention that it was hard for everybody else to figure themselves out. Now he's allowing them to have attention so he can figure them out, so he can figure out how to go and win the game. The only issue is the Pacers are not afraid of the Bucks and the Pacers are not afraid of Giannis. Right. You think about Siakam, you think about, you know, Halliburton. They got the Matherton kid back. He's been playing well for Them the Pacers have the depth.

[Draymond Green]

Obie Thompson. Obie Toppins was killing T.J. mcConnell.

[Baron Davis]

T.J. mcConnell. Like the Pacers, they've been a unit.

[Draymond Green]

Andrew Nemhar.

[Baron Davis]

Yep, they've been a unit. And so I don't think that they fear the Bucs. I feel like they think that they have the Bucs number. I feel like they're Bigs. Feel like, hey, we can not stop Giannis, but we can. If we can control our environment and Giannis is still Giannis, then he won't have the impact. So it's really going to be to your point, who's making shots? Connaughton, Gary Trent, you know, what is Lopez, A.J. green. A.J. green. What is Kuzma going to give you? And then on the Bucks side, who's going to step up and become, you know, that offensive hero for them?

[Draymond Green]

Kevin Porter Jr. That's possible. Absolutely. He got the.

[Baron Davis]

Yeah, he could be. He could be another X factor for sure.

[Draymond Green]

So who you got?

[Baron Davis]

I'm going to take in that series. I'm going to rock with. You know what? I've been against the Bucks the whole year. All right, Go with the Bucs.

[Draymond Green]

Respect, respect.

[Baron Davis]

You know, I've been fighting Doc and the Bucs and asking Doc to, you know, let Giannis and Dave figure it out. Doc, listen to me. And now I gotta rock with the Bucks.

[Draymond Green]

I respect it. I respect it. That man said Doc is right in his wrongs. All right? Yes, sir. Moving on, we got the seven seed Magic versus second seed Celtics. The Magic coming off a beat down of the Hawks a couple days ago. You got Jalen Brown's knee for the Celtics. That's been a concern. Heard he got some injections in it, if I'm not mistaken. You got the Magic missing. Jalen sucks. How many games do you think this series is going? Who you think winning this series? What you got for me, BD I.

[Baron Davis]

Think the Magic can get one because I think Paulo is that talented. Him and Wagner are that talented that they can at least get one. My whole thing with Orlando is they're going to go the way their guards go. It's what everybody else is doing with Orlando, outside of Paolo and Wagner. But when you look at, you know, the Celtics, they're a buzz. I know Jaylen Brown's knee is a concern for people, but they just want to get out this series. So four one, I would say Celtics over Magic. Maybe the Magic get two. If they get one right, if they can steal one in Boston, that could be something unexpected. But I do see Boston 41 in that series.

[Draymond Green]

I got Boston as well. You know, just missing your starting point guard and going up against the defending champions, that's. That's tough to overcome. You're right. They do have the talent to get one. But I am going to go Celtics 4 0.

[Baron Davis]

Ooh, sweet.

[Draymond Green]

Okay, moving over to the Western Conference, we got the three seed Lakers versus the six seed Timberwolves. The Wolves seek to get revenge against Luka Doncic. Obviously. Lukas, with Dallas. Last year, Dallas beat the Timberwolves in the conference finals. What does Ant man have to do to get the T Wolves a chance to beat the Lakers?

[Baron Davis]

Bean pies, French fries, mob ties, Lakers in five.

[Draymond Green]

There's nothing Ant man can do. Wow.

[Baron Davis]

Beach vibes.

[Draymond Green]

Wow.

[Baron Davis]

That's crazy. Hell no. Hell no. Wow, that's crazy. No, not at all. I mean, Julius. It's really about Julius Randall, about Anthony Edwards.

[Draymond Green]

You said he gonna do what he do.

[Baron Davis]

Anyway, I think Ed gonna have a good series. You know, Ed is a superstar, so he gonna get caught up in, you know, superstar performances. But what is Julius Randle gonna do and do Julius Randle hate the Lakers and feel like he can dominate that game?

[Draymond Green]

I think the matchup to watch, and it's crazy to say this, the matchup to watch, but you just spoke on Julius. But the matchup for me is Bron versus Julius. Because the way Bron plays today isn't the way he played before with this new Laker team. And so he going to put Julius in a lot of actions and make Julius have to guard. And I know early in the year that was kind of the knock on the Timberwolves was that could they get Julius to garden? I think he picked it up on that side of the ball. But now Brian is going to try to expose Julius on the defensive end. And so I think that's going to be important. I also think you could see the Lakers go small and put the T Wolves and a bind on, you know, with Rudy Gobert. If the Lakers decide to go small and they go Rui, Luka, Finney Smith, Bron Reaves.

[Baron Davis]

But Minnesota can match that.

[Draymond Green]

They can match it. But then, but then, then Rudy Gobert got to come off to Florida and then they. And then you. You lose rim protection. So, I mean, I think the lineups could cause the Timberwolves a problem if the Lakers are making shots, because if Finney Smith's making shots, Rui's making shots, that could cause them some issues if they go small. So I don't. I think you Know, that's where some of the issues could come in that series. But you got the Lakers in five. Respect. All right, Nuggets four seed versus the Clippers, the five seed. Who on the Nuggets has to be the difference maker in this series? Obviously Yoke's going to be Joker. Jamal's healthy. I think Chris Dunn is a hell of a defender, so I think, you know, he can possibly make it hard on Jamal. But who has to be the difference maker for the Nuggets in this series to beat the Clippers?

[Baron Davis]

1. I rock it with the Clippers in 6. Westbrook, Braun and Michael Porter. Those three dudes have to step up, score the basketball, rebound a basketball and have to defend. Cause you know Michael, Michael Porter, he gonna have to play some defense. Cause he's gonna be out there guarding somebody who can score the basketball or guard somebody that's attacking the rim. Like Derrick Jones who attacked the rim on offensive glass. Like who's gonna guard Kawhi? Is the question. And then who's gonna guard James? And I feel like Zubock, you know, nobody can guard Joker, but I feel you got a big body in Zubock that can make Joker work on the defensive end too. Especially how the way the Clippers play and they play sometimes through Zubox. So I like the Clippers in six. I think the bench is going to be the biggest determining factor in this series because you know, both teams use their bench. Both teams now have a little bit more bench depth. But I, I'd say talent, overall talent and the way they're playing. I gotta get at to the Clippers versus Denver with, you know, a first time coach coming into the playoffs and everybody is still in shock like what the fuck happened?

[Draymond Green]

It's crazy. I was just about to say here's where you're gonna miss Mike Malone because you're going up against Ty Lue who.

[Baron Davis]

Is as good as a business.

[Draymond Green]

Absolutely. And a coach that's coached four games as a head coach or whatever it is and is now about to face Tylou in the playoff series. That's tough.

[Baron Davis]

Yeah.

[Draymond Green]

And so in saying that, I think that makes a big, big, big difference in this series. And one of the key things I think in this series is going to be. You just mentioned them, but you, you really need Russell Westbrook in this series because you're going to need Russell Westbrook defensively in this series. Russell Westbrook is the one guy that, that Denver has that I think they can throw at James or Kawhi and he can. Cause Some havoc. You know, like you're not, you're not stopping either one of those guys. Like they are superstars for a reason. But Russ I think can cause some havoc. And so that's important. I think Russ is the for sure X factor in this series. And so that's what I'll be watching in that series.

[Baron Davis]

And Aaron Gordon for that matter, right?

[Draymond Green]

Absolutely.

[Baron Davis]

I say the Russ, Aaron Gordon tandem for defense, rebounding, like how, how, how well they play on the defensive end is going to really be the determining factor for the Nuggets.

[Draymond Green]

Absolutely.

[Baron Davis]

Like you need Braun offense. You need Michael Porter offense. You need Russ offense. Because they're going to make, they're going to dare Russ to shoot. Like we know Tyloo, he dares people to shoot. They will say, hey, put the ball in the player with the lowest percentage hands later in the shot clock. So Russ is going to have a lot of opportunities to make plays to score the basketball on the other side. I mean Russ has to. Russ has to play at a high, high level. Right. And not saying that Joker or Jamal Murray. I just think if you get something that is where Russ capacity could be, then you know he has a chip on his shoulder. Playing against the Clippers as well. I just think the Clippers are going to win in six. You got James Harden, you got Powell, you got offensive firepower. Kawhi is back. Right. Dunn is hitting shots. Derrick Jones is hitting shots. Bogdanovich off the bench. They have a machine, right? They have a machine and they, and they are versatile. They can play small ball. They can play big too.

[Draymond Green]

That part.

[Baron Davis]

It's a great matchup. Who you take.

[Draymond Green]

It's a great matchup. I don't know, man. I'm. It's hard to go against the Clippers when you're about to put a three game ten year head coach versus up against Tylou. I think that long is just going.

[Baron Davis]

To be the factor.

[Draymond Green]

Like almost impossible to overcome. Nah, I think that's impossible to overcome. That's tough. That's tough for a head coach who's been doing this for years. One that's been doing it for three games. That's tough for me. So I think just that reason alone, it's hard to go against the Clippers and they're playing, obviously they're playing great basketball. But Tyu alone, I mean, I don't know. I don't know David Adam in that world. I know he not Tyloo.

[Baron Davis]

Right.

[Draymond Green]

Can he possibly be one day? I don't know. I. I don't Know what assistant coach is like, but, yeah, I know he ain't talu right now. No.

[Baron Davis]

We'll see.

[Draymond Green]

And so that's tough.

[Baron Davis]

Yeah. Moving right along. Started playing basketball. Fell in love with it. Like the First Air Jordan 1, Spike Lee Commercial there. There you go.

[Draymond Green]

Nas coming out.

[Baron Davis]

Nas coming out. Right when I started playing or seventh grade, summer going into eighth grade. I mean, let's also just be real. Like, I wanted to be black. Listen, all the best players in the world were black. All the best rappers, you know, Listen, I just want to tell a little story. When I was a kid going to Crossroads, you know, coming from South Central, you know, family being on welfare, gang violence, drugs, being kind of like the beacon of my everyday appetite. Then going to a school like Crossroads and seeing, like, these kids, you know, coming from big houses, right, Having nannies, you know, going to premieres, going to concerts, Laker game king games, man, I was like, NBA was my dream, bro. You feel me? Watch the best NBA players ever. But I wanted to be white because white people. Because white people were so successful. So growing up in a black neighborhood, I have a confession to make. I wanted to be white because.

[Draymond Green]

I saw white. I'm keeping my focus on the playoffs, guys.

[Baron Davis]

Steve Nash, you're black. In my mind, dude.

[Draymond Green]

All right, I'm keeping my focus on the playoffs, guys. We're going to get out of here. That's going to be a wrap from this episode. That is Draymond Green show. Aaron Davis. We out here. Love you all.

[Baron Davis]

We out.