Talk iconic NBA matchups, and skipping Warriors vs. Cavaliers? Not a chance. From 2015 to 2018, they clashed in the Finals four straight times, with the Dubs taking a dominant 3–1 edge. But while the world often points to Stephen Curry as the face of that rivalry, LeBron James has a different name etched in memory—Draymond Green.
Especially in that 2015 series, when everything changed. Green wasn’t just a role player; he was the x-factor, the chaos engine, the reason Golden State became nearly unstoppable. And LeBron? He hasn’t forgotten a second of it.
LeBron James sees the art of “positionless” basketball through Draymond Green
The Akron Hammer has always been a process over outcome person. “Why you do all the things you do—for the body, the mind, skills, and film work?” Steve Nash pointed out this trait in the latest edition of Mind The Game. Simply because he doesn’t want to fail in one of those moments and go, “Maybe I shoulda,” you know, taken more shots, slept more. Living in the present, you cannot go back to the past and alter it. Meanwhile, Nash shared another of his observations with the LA Lakers superstar.
Versatility plays an important role for teams in the current scenario. Back in the day, the roster consisted of players who were six-foot to six-two point guards, seven-foot centers, and power forwards. “Now it’s like—we’ve kind of compressed all that. Right? It’s like many wings, positionless,” Steve Nash told LeBron James. “So you’re talking IQ. You’re talking guard multiple positions. You’re talking guys that can play Blender. You know, the versatility.” Moreover, the ability to adapt quickly and read the game is crucial in the playoffs, versatility can be the game-changer when it comes down to the final move.
This “positionless” basketballing skill reminded Bron of only one person, and that is Draymond Green. “You know, I think who’ve mastered that over the last, like, ten years is Golden State. And the main reason is because of Draymond Green,” he said. “When we played them in the 2015 Finals, I believe they started the series off—either Bogut or David Lee was starting at the center.” Both Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving injured themselves in Game 1 of the Finals series; an unfortunate episode for the Cavs.
Jan 25, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (left) talks with Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (right) after the game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
“Kevin separated his shoulder. And Kyrie dislocated his kneecap. But we end up going up 2–1,” the 40-year-old recalled. “And because of Draymond, and because of Iguodala, and because of Shaun Livingston, it gave them the dynamic.” Talk about versatility! Talk about positionless hooping!
Meanwhile, LeBron & Co. stuck with a traditional lineup during the 2015 Finals. But the Warriors shifted to a smaller, more versatile setup led by Draymond Green, which changed the series’ dynamic. So, he credits Draymond’s adaptability as a key reason for Golden State’s lasting success.
Well, keeping aside their on-court heat, things seem nice and mellow between Bron and Green. However, there was a time when they didn’t particularly like each other. Draymond has gone to the extent of using the term “hate” for his past relationship with the Chosen One. Can you believe it?
Draymond Green on the same flight? A big NO from LeBron James
Draymond Green and LeBron James might be best buds now, but their story didn’t start with handshakes and hugs. It was pure rivalry, all fire and Finals showdowns. But as Draymond shared on the Brownie and Rab Show somewhere between battles and back-and-forths, respect turned into one of the league’s most unexpected friendships.
“Hell no. I hated Bron,” Green said of his early relationship with James. “We didn’t have no relationship at all.” Back in 2017, All-Star Weekend was buzzing in New Orleans. But the real story? It was happening after the buzzer. The destination: Anguilla. Everyone close to LeBron, Maverick Carter, and Rich Paul had plans. Green, unsure of his next move, spotted an opportunity. He wanted to know if he could board the same plane as them. Carter was up for it, but James Sr.?
Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Iman Shumpert (4) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and guard Stephen Curry (30) react in the second quarter in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Draymond shared: “I don’t know if there was no space on the plane or not, but I think Bron probably said I ain’t flying on that plane. He gets an entirely different plane, so I can fly with them. We had two houses on Four Seasons right next to each other. I also don’t think there was two houses there before. You know why I think Mav got a whole other house? Because I think Bron said that [expletive] ain’t staying in my house.”
From icy stares to island stays, LeBron James and Draymond Green’s journey is anything but ordinary. It started with hard fouls and Finals fury, then flipped into respect and real talk. Now, they’re both masters of the modern game—versatile, vocal, and oddly close. Funny how hoops has a way of rewriting stories.
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