Draymond Green questions Spurs’ mentality amid 2-0 NBA Finals deficit

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 1: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs look on during the game on April 1, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

In today’s Dub Hub:

As a four-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, Draymond Green has never been shy about sharing his perspective on what separates good teams from championship-caliber ones. So, with the San Antonio Spurs staring at a dreaded 2-0 deficit against the New York Knicks, the veteran forward shared his concerns with San Antonio’s mentality during the most recent episode of The Draymond Green Show.

The Spurs advanced to the Finals after an emotional Game 7 victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Western Conference Finals MVP Victor Wembanyama was visibly overcome with emotion after the win, shedding tears following what was arguably the biggest victory of his career up to that point.

However, as Green pointed out, the inexperienced Spurs have looked a step behind to begin the Finals. They blew a fourth quarter lead in Game 1 last Wednesday, then followed that up with several critical mistakes in the final seconds of Game 2 on Friday.

The Knicks, by contrast, have looked hungry. A franchise that hasn’t won a championship since 1973, playing in front of a city that has waited over five decades, they’ve carried that urgency into every game. They’ve now won 13 straight playoff games — the second-longest streak in NBA playoff history — with no signs of slowing down either.

Green may be onto something with the Spurs’ inexperience revealing itself on the biggest stage, and if they can’t rediscover that competitive edge starting in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, New York could be on the verge of celebrating very soon.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Monday, June 8th:

Warriors News:

Richard Jefferson admits Cavs’ Finals plan vs. Steph Curry was to ‘beat him up’ | NBC Sports Bay Area

NBA on ESPN analyst Richard Jefferson, who faced Golden State in the 2016 and 2017 NBA Finals as a member of the Cavaliers, detailed Cleveland’s brutal game plan for Curry on Friday night’s broadcast. While discussing a hard foul on New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson during Game 2 of the 2026 Finals, Jefferson recalled his job against Curry a decade ago.

“When we played Steph Curry in the Finals, our job was to beat him up like that,” Jefferson said in the first quarter. “And it wasn’t anything dirty, but if you’re going to foul him, foul him in a physical nature.”

Kawakami: LeBron + Warriors? A late marriage that might never be more convenient | The San Francisco Standard

Yes, I get it. At this point, Warriors fans are bellowing: How would signing LeBron make the team younger and healthier? My answer: LeBron is old but actually remains quite durable; he registered 1,989 minutes this regular season, more than every Warrior except Brandin Podziemski. (More info: LeBron has averaged 2,195 minutes over the last five seasons.)

Warriors Window Still Open?? Jerry Stackhouse on Head Coach Job Openings, Mike Malone to UNC!

NBA News:

NBA Finals: Spurs’ chances of surviving hinge on unlocking Victor Wembanyama | Yahoo Sports

I’d argue, if you’re looking to unlock Wembanyama more, that the roll direction needs to tilt the other way more often. Second Spectrum has Wembanyama down as the empty side PnR screener nine times in this series; he’s rolled or popped to the empty side once. Surely there’s room for more, right?

Force a back-pedaling Karl-Anthony Towns (Finals MVP right now, in my opinion) or Mitchell Robinson to high-point and contest lobs consistently. See how aggressive the Knicks want to peel in their low man within that context.

Former Knicks’ star Jeremy Lin breaks down New York’s offensive success

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Report: Steph Curry plans to meet with LeBron James to discuss joining Warriors

The Warriors clearest path to signing James is with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception (worth roughly $15 million per season), which would still mark a 70% pay cut for LeBron. A sign-and-trade could be a different path to paying James more, but that would require Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, or Kristaps Porzingis heading out in the deal.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.