News Now: Lacob describes Draymond’s’maniacally competitive’ pre-draft exercise.

Draymond Green is one of the NBA’s most physical players. And the Warriors knew this from day one.

The veteran forward is a four-time champion and future Hall of Famer who, after 12 seasons in the NBA, still plays with the same zeal as when he first arrived from Michigan State.

Warriors assistant general manager Kirk Lacob spoke with KRON 4’s Jason Dumas in an exclusive interview about Golden State’s pre-draft scouting process and why, after all these years, Green’s pre-draft workout with the Warriors in 2012 remains the most impressive he’s seen during his time with the organization.

“I will tell you the most memorable draft workout we have had in the time I’ve been here, about 14 years, is Draymond Green,” Lacob stated to Dumas. “We will never forget that one.
“We already adored Draymond. He was, as I like to call it, from the Island of Misfit Toys. Everyone knew he was great, but we weren’t sure how he’d fit in. But we knew he was an excellent basketball player. And when we got here, he had completely devastated everyone. And it was clear that he was quite competitive.”
Green was so dominant on the court that Lacob and the Warriors were taken away by what they saw.

“It’s hard to describe without you getting to see it, but there’s a difference between watching somebody be competitive and somebody being maniacally competitive, trying to destroy everybody in every single drill for an hour straight,” Lacob said. “I have never seen anything like it.

“It was incredibly enjoyable to watch. It got to the point where the other five guys considered quitting. At the moment, you think, ‘Maybe these guys aren’t as competitive.’ But you think, ‘Man, this guy is really a murderer.'”

Green’s competitive fire and physicality are crucial characteristics that define him as a unique athlete. There is no off switch, and while his style of play has resulted in several ejections and bans over the years, the Warriors are ready to pay the price.

And, according to Lacob and others in the organization, it has been well worth it. And then some.