“I Lost My Matchup,” Draymond Green Comes Clean on Tough Matchup Against Julius Randle

Julius Randle's battles against Golden State Warriors star defender Draymond Green tilted the semi-final series towards the Timberwolves.

“I Lost My Matchup,” Draymond Green Comes Clean on Tough Matchup Against Julius Randle

Draymond Green tips his hat at Julius Randle (Image via FirstSportz)

Draymond Green is usually regarded as one of the best defenders in the NBA. His prowess in that area alone has helped the Golden State Warriors win four championships in a decade. They wanted to battle for a fifth, but fell while battling with Julius Randle, Anthony Edwards, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

During that semifinal series, Green was expected to continue the stellar overall play he displayed in the first-round series clinching Game 7. The need to continue that performance became more of a necessity after Stephen Curry went down with a hamstring injury.

But Green could not live up to that form and struggled to contain Randle and the other Timberwolves players. Even though he tried, the sheer size and physicality, along with Randle’s scoring, made it difficult to keep them at bay.

After losing the series in five games, Green acknowledged how Randle was exceptional in that series. Now, while speaking with his podcast partner, Baron Davis, the four-time champion explained how good the Wolves star forward was.

I lost my matchup. Julius was incredible. And honestly, some of the shots he was taking was shots that you want him to take and he made them. I got to give it to him, man. He got the better of me. With all respect, you know, I’m never a guy who’s going to hide from the truth. He was a tough cover. One of the tougher covers I’ve had in the playoff series.

Draymond Green said

The 35-year-old compared this lost battle to the one he had against Pascal Siakam in the 2019 NBA Finals. In that series, the then-Toronto Raptors star got the better of Green. He believes this was similar or even tougher than that series.

Draymond Green believes Julius Randle and Wolves have real shot at NBA title

Julius Randle and the Minnesota Timberwolves gave Draymond Green and the Warriors a run for their money. After losing the second-round series in five games, the Warriors’ star revealed that his opponents are NBA title-ready.

Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards can power Wolves to first championship
Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards can power Wolves to first championship (Image via Polymarket Hoops/X)

I think they got a real shot at it. When you got two dynamic (star players), then you got those pieces. They got a real team.

Draymond Green said

The Michigan native added that when Julius Randle, as a legitimate No. 2 scoring option, is playing as aggressively as he has, the Wolves have a shot. On top of that, the team has quality pieces all throughout the roster.

He believes that this team has what it takes to win its first-ever NBA title. Just that they just have to continue to play as aggressively as they have so far. Anthony Edwards, Randle, and that team have both the skill and the experience to take the next step.

Draymond Green believes Warriors will be title-ready next season

Green had claimed earlier in the season that his Golden State Warriors would be champions this season. But that fell flat as the Minnesota Timberwolves routed them. But Baron Davis thought of asking his podcast partner what they needed to be title-ready.

I personally believe that we will be right there next year, giving ourselves a shot at it. We will retool and make the roster even more sense. Competing and trying to win a championship. I do believe we are capable of that. I stand on that 100%.

Draymond Green said

The former Defensive Player of the Year believes the team needs to play a full season together to learn more about how to utilize their nuances. Provided they stay healthy, he believes next season the Warriors will be ready to win their fifth title.

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