Draymond Green has never been one to hold back-on the court or behind the mic-and in a recent interview, he gave fans another classic Draymond moment. This time, the four-time NBA champion got candid about a meme that’s followed him around for years and, according to him, might’ve done more than just provide a few laughs.
Back in 2018, an edited photo of Green taking a jumper went viral. In the image, a fan had slapped a cartoonish backpack onto Draymond’s back mid-shot, suggesting he looked like he was hoisting up shots while lugging around a schoolbag full of textbooks.
The internet ran with it. Memes flew, jokes piled up, and the “backpack jumper” became part of NBA meme culture.
Now, years later, Green is finally addressing the meme head-on-and in true Draymond fashion, he didn’t mince words.
“My jump shot went to hell the moment that meme came out. The moment that sht came out,” Green said during a recent sit-down with Richard Jefferson. “Remember I used to shoot the fcking ball.”
It’s a surprisingly honest admission from a player known more for his defensive IQ, playmaking, and leadership than for lighting it up from deep. But Green isn’t wrong-early in his career, he was a more willing and occasionally effective shooter. Over time, though, his confidence and consistency from beyond the arc wavered, and the backpack meme became a recurring punchline.
Whether or not the meme truly impacted his shooting mechanics is up for debate, but Green’s willingness to joke about it shows the kind of self-awareness that’s made him such a compelling figure in today’s NBA landscape.
Of course, Draymond being Draymond, he didn’t stop there.
In the same conversation, the Warriors veteran also weighed in on one of the league’s biggest ongoing debates: who will be the next true face of the NBA? It’s a question that’s been heating up in recent years, especially with the emergence of international stars like San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama.
Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 phenom from France, has been touted as a generational talent with the tools to dominate both ends of the floor. But Green isn’t so sure Wemby can carry the league’s brand in the way past faces like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, or Michael Jordan have.
“We still have yet to see a non-American be the face of the NBA,” Green said. “The face of the NBA and the best player in the NBA are two totally different things.”
It’s a nuanced take-and one that’s bound to stir up plenty of debate. Green isn’t questioning Wembanyama’s talent.
In fact, he acknowledges the difference between being the league’s best player and being its marketable centerpiece. But he also pointed to Wemby’s height as a potential hurdle, suggesting that the sheer uniqueness of his frame might make it more difficult for fans to relate to him in the same way they did with past stars.
It’s the kind of layered, thought-provoking commentary we’ve come to expect from Green. Love him or hate him, he’s never afraid to speak his mind-and he usually brings a perspective that forces fans and analysts alike to think a little deeper about the game and the personalities that shape it.
From memes to marketing, Draymond Green continues to be one of the NBA’s most compelling voices-and whether he’s breaking down defensive schemes or reflecting on viral moments, he finds a way to keep the conversation moving.