LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 16: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors defends against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on March 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors’ seasoned forward, Draymond Green, has shared his thoughts on remarks made by the legendary Los Angeles Lakers forward, LeBron James, regarding the team’s championship journey in the 2021-22 season.

In a recent podcast appearance, James mentioned that the Warriors’ victory in the 2022 season against the Boston Celtics was mainly due to the high basketball IQ exhibited by the players during crucial moments on the court.

Draymond Green agrees to LeBron James’ Warriors comment

In Mind the Game podcast, LeBron James recently discussed how basketball IQ played a crucial role in the Golden State Warriors’ victory over the Boston Celtics in the 2022 NBA Finals. According to James, the Warriors’ high basketball IQ significantly affected their success. Draymond Green, a close friend of James, echoed this sentiment on The Draymond Green Show but added more insights into why the Warriors emerged victorious.

Green acknowledged the importance of basketball IQ, stating, “That’s true to an extent. We had a higher IQ, especially in critical moments.” However, he emphasized that it wasn’t just about having a higher IQ but also about performing with intelligence in crucial game situations.

He pointed out that despite having a higher IQ, players can still feel the pressure in intense playoff games, particularly in the NBA Finals. Green noted that the Celtics, being a younger team then, might have felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of the Finals compared to their previous experiences in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In addition to player IQ, Green credited the coaching staff’s basketball IQ for making strategic adjustments throughout the series, which he believed was a key factor in the Warriors’ victory. He highlighted the significance of smart decisions and timely adjustments during critical moments of the Finals, underscoring the role of both player and coaching IQ in securing the championship.

LeBron promotes his podcast’s second episode

On his podcast, LeBron James emphasized the significance of basketball IQ, highlighting its role in distinguishing teams during the Conference Finals and the NBA Finals. He referenced the 2022 NBA Finals, discussing how Golden State’s victory over Boston was attributed to superior IQ rather than raw talent.

LeBron James pointed out, “I believe that when Golden State beat Boston, it came down to IQ in the Finals. Boston, in my opinion, had the better talent. But IQ made the difference. Some people attribute it to experience, but I think it’s about IQ.”

While acknowledging the Warriors’ mental resilience, Tatum believed the teams were evenly matched in talent. However, LeBron James disagreed, noting that the ultimate factor was one team demonstrating a higher basketball IQ. This insight sheds light on the nuanced dynamics determining success in high-stakes NBA games.

The second episode of this podcast will be on the YouTube channel of Mind The Games on 27th March 2024. People eagerly waiting for some more spice with Lebron James can tune in to the Youtube channel for more such content related to Lebron James.

What do you think about this cold war that is arising amongst them? Let us know in the comment section below; we would love to hear about it.