In this YouTube conversation, Draymond Green and former NBA guard Baron Davis dissect Kevin Durant's sideline exchange with Suns coach Mike Budenholzer and his pivotal role in Phoenix's 23‑point comeback over the Clippers. They emphasize that Durant's impact transcended scoring, focusing on his demeanor, leadership, and visible anger that sparked the team's intensity. The duo critiques the narrative surrounding coach‑player moments, arguing that such exchanges are commonplace and often overstated. The discussion then shifts to the broader theme of respect for injured players, highlighting Kyrie Irving’s ACL tear and his decision to shoot free throws, as well as historical parallels with Kobe Bryant and Klay Thompson. Draymond shares personal reflections on his own injury and recovery, underscoring a deep love for the game and admiration for athletes who persevere through pain. Throughout, the conversation blends analysis of on‑court dynamics with personal anecdotes, offering insights into player mentality, team culture, and the human side of professional basketball.
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We had KD on last week and you know, he just talked about how the Suns have to play hard. He then gets into it with Budenholzer, which I make nothing of, but he came out and responded and played hard and on both sides of the ball. And when he made that decision, you could see the game start to change. And I had tweeted about K because I watched him do it defensively. Offensively. I watched him talking to guys. I watched him pick up guys. I watched him take it on everything on his own shoulders and willed them to that win.
Yeah.
Because if they lose that game—
It's over.
I tweeted, I said it was one of the more impressive performances I've seen from K. And I've seen K have 54, 52, whatever, all these. But it ain't about the, the, the, the points. It's about his demeanor. It's about how he went about bringing that team back. And it was glaringly noticeable to me. You know, he had spoke about how they needed to play hard and different things. They have a 23-point comeback last night versus the Clippers. And I think that was a prime example of the way that they're going to need to play.
Yep.
If they could spark this run. And you know, and can this game ultimately be a spark for them? Which you hope so if you're them, right? Like you hope that, all right man, we just had this one, now let's build on it. They got an uphill battle to fight for sure.
Yeah, they do. And this was the first time I really seen him angry. You know, usually KD when he play, he upset, he be talking shit, you know, he going at different people. This comeback was, he was angry. He was like, he lost himself in the game. And I think that's what Phoenix gotta do. They gotta stop coming to the game with a chip on their shoulder thinking like they are the target because they got KD, they got Devin Booker, they got scores. They need to start being angry about, hey, we, this may not happen.
Yeah.
And so they have to have more desperate measures. And I seen Angry KD when he did that to Bud. It was like, man, all right, I'm about to show you, bro. Like, get off me. I need to stay in the mode that I'm in. And it was, to me, it was refreshing to see that.
Yeah, I don't think it was anything. Coaches and players had their moments all the time. I think if you had a camera on a bench in a, huddle at every moment, you'd see these more often than not. That's just what happens. I think people try to make a big deal outta everything because everybody needs storylines.
Yeah.
KD loves the process of being coached.
Mm-hmm.
Working on his game.
Mm-hmm.
All the pureness of basketball is what KD actually loves. One thing I can assure you, KD ain't a, a coach arguer. Like he ain't gonna, he'll every now and then he gonna like stand his ground. You know what I'm saying? Like of course, but he not just gonna get into it with the coach. He not a player that's like think he's bigger than being coached.
Nah.
None of that. You know what I'm saying? So what I know for a fact, had they little moment and they moving on. If KD could do, play this game in the NBA and what he's doing, and only deal with the pureness of the game, he'd play for another 10 years.
No, for sure. And sometimes you just don't wanna be touched.
Yeah.
Especially somebody talking to you, don't touch me, right? But like talking to me and touching me at the same time, like I don't feel like being touched right now, right? And when you in the heat of the moment, it's just that. It is nothing more but just, you know, that angst, that anxiety, that, you know, that frustration.
Before we get outta here, man, you know, we mentioned Kyrie earlier tearing ACL, obviously another blow to the Mavs and their fan base who's kind of been going through it over the last month or so.
Damn.
Like, I don't have many words because Ky is just one of them dudes, man.
He's my guy.
He loved playing basketball.
He loves hoopin'.
I'm happy he is where he is in his life. You know, he got his wife and his kids, you know what I'm saying? But man, like, Kai had to have figured it out, you know what I'm saying? His game, his balance, who he is. And to go through this, hate to see it, hate to see it.
Yeah.
Send my love, well wishes, speedy recovery. You just hate to see that happen. But I will ask you, what was your thoughts on him staying out there and shooting those free throws?
That's just love. That's just will. You know, I love Kyrie game. One of my favorites all time. And to see his maturity this year, you know, his leadership, you know, with that team even through the trade and all that. And you know, I just hate seeing people get injured, period, Draymond. You know, 'cause my career ended on an injury. But I do believe and I know He got, you know, the family support and he got the will to come back and he got the game, you know, to come back after a torn ACL and be even better or just as effective playing at a high level because of who he is and just the skills, right? High, high, high, high level of skill, right? He just gotta get back to getting strong and, You know, I just, it's almost like a, it's like one of these, you know, when he shot the two free throws, like, you're a real one, bro, but we understand, you know?
1000%. You know, I had, I actually had the opportunity to see Kobe shoot two free throws after tearing his ACL.
Oh, you was in that game, yeah.
That game, but then obviously Klay shoot two free throws after tearing his ACL, you know what I'm saying? It's just like a, Yeah. Just the respect you have for those guys because, man, when you, when I can only imagine going through those injuries. I've gotten injured, not like that, no, knock on wood. But like anytime you have any injury on the court, the last thing you're thinking about is, man, I need to go shoot these 2 free throws. Like you're immediately like, how bad is it? Like, ay, like the pain, you know, you're processing so much. And so I just applaud them. On that.
Yeah, for sure.
Just Draymond Green, that love, that love for the game that they have to have those moments. And then I also think that there's a level of, I don't know how this recovery is gonna go. I don't know when I'll be back on the floor, but if this is it, you'll remember I shot my free throws before I left.
Totally.
And I can respect that. Speedy recovery to Kai, man. Get well, brother.
Many blessings, bro.
The game will miss you, but the game will welcome you back with open arms with that level of talent that Kyrie has. [FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
