1-On-1 With Draymond Green: Best Young Stars In NBA, Warriors’ Playoff Outlook, Partnership With Amazon Glow

Being away from loved ones for an extended period of time can be tough, but Draymond Green has found a way to stay close to his family even when he’s in an entirely different city.

Green has partnered with Amazon Glow to stay connected with his kids while he’s on the road. Amazon Glow is a video-calling device designed to make it easier for children to communicate with friends and family remotely. What makes it so unique is that it features an interactive projector that allows children to play games and enjoy hands-on activities.

We caught up with Draymond Green this week to discuss his partnership with Amazon Glow, the Warriors’ mindset heading into the playoffs and more.

The Spun: Can you tell us about your partnership with Amazon Glow, as well as the benefits it provides you and your family?

Draymond Green: Absolutely. My partnership with Amazon and the Amazon Glow device is a match made in heaven. As a father of three children and as a husband, to have the opportunity to connect with my children while being miles apart is incredible. You have all these interactive features, like reading books or making jigsaw puzzles. To have the opportunity to do those things and help my wife teach the kids while I’m on the road is great. Obviously, I’m a thousand miles away. And yet, the Amazon Glow makes me feel like I’m sitting in the same room with my family. My life has changed from Year 2 in the NBA to Year 10. I didn’t have an entire family in Year 2. My kids are getting older as my career progresses, so having the opportunity to read with them on a daily basis allows me to continue strengthening my connection with them. Bringing this device into our home has allowed all of us to be together and spend meaningful time together.

The Spun: The Warriors started this season off strong, but went through a bit of a rough patch after the All-Star break. What’s the team’s confidence level heading into the playoffs?

DG: When I look at the amount of injuries we’ve had and the position we’re in, I think if and when we’re healthy, I can only imagine how strong of a team we can and are going to be. So I’m really looking forward to that. We know who certain teams are. They’ve essentially tapped out on their potential. It doesn’t mean they can’t win, but we know we haven’t scratched the surface of what we can be. Steph, Klay and I played one game together this year. When I look at it from that standpoint, that’s encouraging to me. That means we still have room to grow every time we step on the floor. That bodes well for a team when you’re trying to win a championship.

The Spun: The Warriors recently had a tough loss to the Suns without Steph Curry. Is that a team you’d want to face in the playoffs?

DG: I think you 100 percent relish that type of matchup because they’ve been the best team in the league this year. Teams are facing injuries and dealing with COVID, but guess what other team is going through that? The Phoenix Suns. They’ve been the best team from the start of the season until now. I’d absolutely love to play against those guys. In order to be the best, you got to beat the best. I’m not saying you have to go through the Phoenix Suns to win a championship because the defending champions are the Milwaukee Bucks. But the Suns have looked the best from an eye test perspective. So you definitely relish the opportunity to play against those guys in the playoffs.

The Spun: How do you balance your time on the hardwood with your podcast?

DG: My producer, Jackson, does a great job of letting me know who the guest is or when we’re filming two weeks in advance. For example, let’s say in two Mondays from now Steph Curry will be the guest. I can now plan around that. One of the most pressing issues when it comes to The Draymond Green Show is time. I’m trying to coordinate my schedule with the schedule of the guest. We’ve had at least 13 current NBA players on the show. They’re also juggling the same schedule that I’m juggling. For me, one of the toughest things is the scheduling. That being said, it’s a priority for me just like basketball is a priority for me. I’m not going to put my name on anything that I’m just going to half step. Once I decided I was going to do The Draymond Green Show, I knew I’d be all in. I am just as committed to making sure we film this week’s episode as I am to winning this past weekend’s game against the Sacramento Kings. I’m putting my name on this show. You only get one chance, so I have to give all that I have to that. Thankfully, it’s been going pretty well.

The Spun: There are so many young stars in the NBA. Which young stars have the chance to change a franchise the way you, Steph and Klay did in Golden State?

DG: When you talk about creating a championship environment in a place that didn’t have one before, the first person that jumps off the page is Ja Morant. The Grizzlies had that nice stretch with Tony Allen, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, but they’ve never won an NBA Finals. When you talk about doing what Steph, Klay and I did, then the team that stands out is Memphis.

When you’re talking about young superstars who could be the face of the league, there are several options. Jayson Tatum jumps off the page. I can’t say he’s taking a team that’s never won a title to the promised land because the Celtics have 17 championships. Luka Doncic also stands out, but Dallas has won titles before as well. I do think Luka has that type of potential. What Devin Booker has done in Phoenix is impressive. The jump he’s made and the winning basketball he’s playing is impressive. Even if you look at some of the young guys we have in Golden State right now, Jordan Poole and Jonathan Kuminga, they’re younger than the guys I recently mentioned. When you look around the NBA, you’ll realize the league is in good hands. When I was growing up, I would wonder what the NBA would look like without Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Eventually, LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant will leave the game. That said, there’s enough talent to keep the show going.

Green has been steady for the Warriors this season, averaging 7.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game. Despite dealing with an injury earlier this year, he feels really good heading into the playoffs.

The Warriors are currently the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. If Steph Curry can return in time for the playoffs, they’ll be a legitimate threat to make a championship run.

You can read more of our interviews with athletes or media stars here.

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