Draymond Green’s threat that he will go hard against Klay Thompson when the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks square off this season didn’t bother the five-time All-Star.
Green told ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk on Oct. 9 that he will “run through his chest” when talking about going up against Thompson as an opponent for the first time.
Speaking to FS1’s Rachel Nichols about Green’s comment, Thompson took it in stride by saying he’s a “pretty tough guy” and will be happy to “take the two free throws” if he wants to give them to him.
The situation could resemble what happened between then-Los Angeles Lakers teammates Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol during the 2008 Summer Olympics. They were adversaries in the gold medal game between the United States and Spain.
According to LeBron James, Bryant said prior to tipoff that he would run “through Gasol’s f–king chest” right out of the gate because he knew what play Spain was going to run when it had the ball. He lived up to his word by running right through Gasol when Gasol set a screen.
Green did acknowledge he will “be fully engaged” during the pregame ceremony for Thompson at Chase Center when the Mavs and Warriors meet on Nov. 12 to “celebrate him the way he’s supposed to,” but “it’s war” after that because “that’s how we’re all built.”
Thompson joined the Mavericks as a free agent in a sign-and-trade deal during the offseason. He spent the first 13 years of his career in Golden State, playing an integral role in the franchise winning four NBA titles.
Given the way that Green plays against everyone else, Thompson would probably consider it a slight if he decided to change his approach to a softer style of play just because they have a long history together as teammates.
