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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

Last week’s back-to-back Spurs-Warriors matchups were a blast, and honestly, we need a repeat, preferably in a postseason setting. Draymond Green would probably be the most excited, even if Victor Wembanyama had a moment of dominance over him. Across those two games, both the former DPOY and the likely DPOY put on a defensive clinic. Blocks, rebounds, trash talk, poster dunks, you name it.

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Now, Green hopped on his podcast to talk about the games, revealing what really happened when Wemby posterized him in the second matchup. He didn’t hold back his admiration either, praising San Antonio’s young core for their skill and energy.

“What I will say about that young Spurs team though is like that’s for sure a playoff team, obviously, you know, barring they stay healthy, that’s a playoff team.” Well, Green might be one of the few thinking that way. While Wemby is in contention for multiple end-of-the-season awards, most don’t feel the Spurs are championship contenders despite two winning streaks.

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Dray, though, does not have that belief. “They will be reckoned with sooner than everyone realizes, happen to be reckoned with sooner than everyone realizes. That team is not a fluke. That’s a very good ball club.”

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Besides Wemby, it’s Stephon Castle and Carter Bryant who are keeping the Spurs at the top. Bryant didn’t play against the Dubs, but Castle and Victor together created franchise history with their stat lines. Yet those who saw the games claim that the undersized Green shut Wemby down and prevented him from matching Stephen Curry’s 45+ point games. Wemby went 8-of-21 with six turnovers while guarded by Green over the two games.

35-year-old Green must’ve enjoyed Wemby putting him to work because he said, “They’re young, they’re still really learning how to win, but that’s a good team they got going over there, and they’re gonna they’re gonna have something to say sooner rather than later. So, like I said, looking forward to continuing to see their growth, but I definitely expect to see that team in the playoffs this year.”

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Right now, the Warriors apparently left Wemby injured, but Green looks ready to play against the Spurs again. Especially after Wemby fed his fiery personality.

Victor Wembanyama rose to Draymond Green’s challenge

Victor Wembanyama doesn’t come across as a trash-talker or provocative. He’ll pull off a 360-degree windmill dunk and walk off some days. The second game between the Warriors and Spurs, however, showed a rare side of him.

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It may have been Draymond Green constantly on his heels since the last game and losing to the Warriors before that. In the fourth quarter, Dray was sticking close to Wemby. They were both battling for position under the rim. Wemby pivoted to his left, caught an inbounds pass from Stephon Castle, and dunked with his left hand over Green through contact. He then proceeded to have a standoff with Green, who’s a whole foot shorter than him.

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It was so insane, the Spurs bench fell off its seats. Too bad it didn’t count because a foul was called on Green right before the dunk. Wemby still managed to posterize the Warriors forward, though.

Dray revealed on his show that a lot of tension had built up to that dunk, though. He revealed he had gotten under his skin after blocking a shot, a few expletives, and a “crazy look.” Wemby apparently responded with, “what, huh, you are too small.” Green provoked the 7’4″ center by calling “too little.” 

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At that point, Wemby responded with that poster. What should’ve been humiliating left Green impressed. Wemby was an adrenaline-pumping challenge that fed Draymond Green’s fiery style.

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Caroline John

3,338 Articles

Caroline John is a senior NBA writer at EssentiallySports, specializing in league comparables. She holds a master’s degree in Journalism and Communication and brings eight years of experience to the sports desk. Caroline made a mark in NBA media by covering the life of Know more

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Shreya Singh

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