Draymond Green can recite every player taken ahead of him in the 2012 NBA Draft
You're probably aware of Draymond Green's intensity and how he keeps eyes and ears on the haters (even while he's sleeping).
But here's an anecdote from a Mercury News feature that shows you just how insulted he was to be the 35th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft:
The topic is the 2012 NBA draft -- his draft -- and Warriors forward Draymond Green has his game face on. Offered a printout of every selection to assist his recollections of that fateful night, Green scoffs.
"I don't need it."
And with that, he begins.
"First was Anthony Davis to New Orleans," he says. "Then Charlotte took (Michael) Kidd-Gilchrist. Then Washington took Bradley Beal. Fourth was Cleveland: Dion Waiters.
"Eight was Toronto: Terrence Ross ...
"Sixteen was Houston: Royce White ...
By the time he's done, Green has reeled off the names of all 34 players selected ahead of him and the corresponding team.
In order.
Whoa. Like I said, intense. Later in the story, Warriors GM Bob Myers jokes that the Warriors "blew it" not picking him sooner, "but at least we got him." In a funny way, picking him in the second round may have actually helped in a weird way, giving Green extra motivation to become the star he is today.
A star who won't forget the other 34 (!) names picked ahead of him.
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