The Oklahoma City Thunder might be an emerging powerhouse, but they still have some “off-the-court work to do” before they can solidify themselves as true NBA title contenders, according to Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green. Speaking on the latest episode of The Draymond Green Show, the veteran forward shared his insights on what he feels is holding the young Thunder team back—and it’s not about skill or talent, but the mental side of the game.
“The one thing I see with the OKC team that is a little alarming for me is like their postgames,” Green told his co-host and former Warriors guard Baron Davis. “Like, seven guys in the interview. There’s a certain seriousness that it takes to win in this league, and there’s a certain fear you have to instill in teams in order to win”, told NBC Sports.
Green believes that the Thunder, a team that finished atop the Western Conference last season, isn’t quite projecting that fear or seriousness. Instead, he observes an atmosphere that’s more lighthearted and casual—particularly in the way they interact in postgame situations. Green, a four-time NBA champion, added, “And I don’t know if they’re instilling that fear in teams with all of the bromance and stuff after the game. Like, ‘Bro, we’re all the bros and the homies.’ It’s like, that’s cool… but after every time that someone is in the interview, you guys got seven guys, eight guys. Then you have the same seven, eight guys with pictures with Josh Giddey right after they played.”
Green isn’t opposed to enjoying the journey; he’s known for his own charisma both on and off the court. However, he emphasized the need for balance, especially when a team has its eyes on the championship prize. “Again, I’m all for having fun,” Green explained. “It’s an 82-game season, you should have fun, but you also have to understand when people are looking at you to be the team and you have to understand when your moment is.”
According to Green, that moment is already here for OKC. “Right now, I don’t think OKC understands, but their moment is now. Their moment started last year. You go out and have that regular season, your clock starts now. You’re no longer the team that is just building through the draft. You’ve arrived. It is now time for you to take that next step, and I’m not sure they quite understand everything that that entails.”
With rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a roster packed with potential, the Thunder have the talent to go far. However, as Green points out, reaching the top will require more than just skill—it demands a mindset shift. Time will reveal whether the Thunder heed Green’s advice and elevate their intensity as they push towards an NBA championship.