Draymond Green, known for his storied career as a four-time NBA Champion and one of the league’s best defenders, has made it clear he dislikes being called “Unc,” a nickname gaining popularity in NBA culture for veteran players. At 35 years old and with 13 seasons under his belt, Green’s experience has shaped him into a key leader for the Golden State Warriors, but he resists the term that makes him feel older.
Green’s Take on the Popular ‘Unc’ Nickname
During a recent episode of his podcast, Green spoke candidly about his aversion to being called “Unc.” When teammate Anthony Davis referred to him with the term, Green responded with humor, saying,
“Y’all got to stop with this Unc stuff,”
and added,
“Unc was a crackhead in my hood. Y’all gotta chill, man. Y’all gotta chill. That would never be okay with me,”
while laughing. Both players shared a lighthearted moment, highlighting Green’s resistance to the label despite his senior role on the team.
From Young Player to Veteran Mentor
Green’s evolution within the Warriors organization illustrates his shift from a rising talent to a seasoned mentor. He revealed in a 2020 interview with CBS,
“My whole mindset [going] into this season was how can I help these young guys get better? How can I help them improve? I went from the young guy to the super vet on the team,”
emphasizing his commitment to guiding younger teammates and strengthening team cohesion.
Owning Up to Mistakes in Leadership
Despite his leadership role, Green has acknowledged shortcomings, notably an incident involving Jordan Poole. Reflecting on this episode, Green shared,
“One of my biggest failures as a vet was the incident with Jordan Poole,”
and explained,
“And it took me to go through that failure with him, who was someone who came in and chose his locker to be next to me because he wanted to learn from me, who was someone that I would spend time with that I would pour into and I f—– it all up. I haven’t felt that miserably at most things in my life, so that was one of my biggest failures.”
This admission reveals Green’s awareness of the challenges in balancing veteran responsibility with personal conduct.
Green’s Continued Impact on the Warriors
While Draymond Green may no longer dominate the stat sheets as he did earlier in his career, his influence as a leader and defender remains vital to Golden State. He sets the tone on and off the court, providing mentorship to younger players and contributing defensively when it counts. His legacy in the NBA is well-established, and his focus now lies on how he will conclude this chapter of his career.
Warriors’ Playoff Outlook Amid Challenges
The Warriors face hurdles during their current playoff journey, including an injury to star player Stephen Curry. Green’s leadership, alongside key players like Butler and teammates dubbed “The Chef,” is critical as the team strives for success despite adversity. Their combined efforts demonstrate resilience and hope for a strong playoff finish, even if the respected veteran maintains his famed fiery edge.