Oct 24, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) dribbles the ball up the court past Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) in the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images
Oct 24, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) dribbles the ball up the court past Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) in the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images
NBA All-Star Deni Avdija recently joined Draymond Green’s Show for a candid conversation with the Golden State Warriors veteran. During the episode, Avdija brought up an old incident in which things got heated between him and Draymond Green during an NBA game.
“Do you remember? Well, I told this story, but do you remember? I think it was last year or two years ago. I hit you pretty hard or something. I forgot, and then you came up to me. You were like, “Oh, watch. Next time you go to the rim, watch what happens,” Avdija asked Green.
“But then, every time I drove, I was waiting for that elbow, punch, shove, or something. At the end of the game, I came up to you and was like, ‘Hey, Dray, man, I was waiting for you the whole game. I thought you were gonna get me back, man. What are you doing?” he added.
“I just loved your response to it. I was a little pissed off at the way you hit me, but when I said it to you, you were just like, ‘Yeah, all right. What’s up? All right.’ I possibly did go on and forget, but I can always respect somebody who’s willing to take it there, you know?” Draymond Green responded.
“Now, I will tell you, Deni, some guys I don’t get back for a couple of years. Some guys, you know, I have the brain of an elephant, so I never forget. Sometimes it takes me a couple of years to get you back. But you’re hard, right, Deni? So I’m still going to get you because you laid me out.”
“It’s one thing I’m mad about: I didn’t get to get my young fella from Michigan State, Xavier Tillman. We were playing against the Grizzlies, and he laid me out. I told him, ‘I’mma get you, X,’ and he just went overseas, so I can’t get him.
“So, I’m gonna have to get him. One year, when he comes back to Michigan State at Grind Week. But I got the mind of an elephant, and I don’t forget. I just sometimes let it go on,” Draymond Green concluded.
So, given his infamous history of heated exchanges on the court, Green doesn’t forget for years, plotting revenge and waiting for the day he gets back at players for being too physical with him or saying something out of line.
Draymond Green’s comments highlight his competitive nature and long memory, showing that even years later, he remains willing to settle old scores with opponents who challenge him physically. This makes him an unpredictable opponent and adds another edge to his game.
Ultimately, Xavier Tillman now knows he has a target on his back if he ever lands another NBA contract. We also have an explanation for the Warriors veteran’s volatility on the court: he struggles to let things go.
Chaitanya Dadhwal is an NBA Analyst and Columnist at Fadeaway World, based in New Delhi, India. His passion for basketball began in 2018 after watching James Harden during his prime, eventually leading him to pursue a career in sports journalism in 2021. He began writing professionally while completing his law degree at Jindal Global Law School in Sonipat, India, where he graduated in 2022 and developed a particular interest in Sports Law. Chaitanya ultimately chose journalism over a career in law after realizing that his passion for sports, and basketball in particular, was where he wanted to build his career. His work focuses on breaking down complex NBA storylines, analyzing player and team decisions, and presenting different sides of an argument to provide readers with a balanced perspective. While he strives to maintain an objective approach in his journalism, Chaitanya openly admits to being a passionate supporter of the Houston Rockets and Arsenal. That combination of analytical thinking and personal passion allows him to simplify complex ideas and present them in an accessible way for basketball fans. Beyond journalism, Chaitanya hopes to establish his own sports management agency and represent athletes. His long-term goal is to help create greater equality of opportunity for athletes across different sports and genders, using his legal background and experience in sports media to help bridge gaps within the industry.