There’s a more than popular belief that today’s NBA is more finesse, or what some would call “softer” than the league’s make-up in the 80’s and 90’s. The game used to exhibit more ruggedness, and with that, more trash talking.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been a proud recent example of breaking that mold. Known for yapping, snarling, and being fully outspoken, Green has earned respect as one of today’s genuine trash talkers. So when asked on ESPN radio’s Freddie Coleman Show who he thinks is another good trash talker, Kevin Durant was Green’s sleeper.
Transcribed by Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman:
“You know who I always thought (was a great trash-talker), but has been under the radar, I think Kevin Durant,” Green said. “Lotta people don’t know that. But if you play against him you know.”
“KD makes you feel bad about yourself, that you ever talked junk,” Green said. “It’s the funniest thing in the world.”
“Me and KD have had our battles over the course of my three years in the league,” Green said. “But when he end up with 53 (points), it ain’t much you could say back at that point.”
This serves as somewhat of a fun fact since Durant doesn’t at all come off as the boasting, trash-talking type. Although, if you’ve followed Durant’s quotes, it’s not exactly surprising. Durant has referred to himself as the best player in the world, and that was just last month. The fact is, someone as good as Durant couldn’t have made it this far without earning his trash-talking stripes along the way. When you become good enough, it’s almost like a rite of passage.
