Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green was never supposed to be this good. Coming out of college, Green was undersized for his position and just a tad husky for his profession.
Or so everyone thought.
Despite a stellar career at Michigan State, Green fell to the the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft, where the Warriors scooped him up with the 35th pick.
Green is an NBA champion now, and one of the league's best players -- but he hasn't forgotten the 34 players picked ahead of him in 2012. In fact, he can apparently name each one -- in their order of selection.
Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury Newsprofiled Green's rise from afterthought to superstar on Friday. Included was this incredible anecdote.
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.
Well damn, Draymond. It's like that?
He's got a point, though. If the 2012 draft were held again today, Green would be a top-5 pick. That planet-sized chip didn't come from nowhere.
Green helped lead the Warriors to last season's championship, made his first All-Star team this season and has earned a reputation as one of the NBA's most passionate and emotional players. He's struck it rich, too, signing a five-year, $85 million deal with the Warriors last summer.
And now we know what Green probably does when he can't sleep at night -- stares at the ceiling and recites those 34 picks. Over and over again.
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