Draymond Green And Kyle Kuzma Discuss Different Eras Of Basketball
Draymond Green and Kyle Kuzma are two of the NBA's most prominent players, with Green being a three-time NBA champion and Kuzma being a rising star for the Los Angeles Lakers. In a recent interview, the two of them discussed the differences between the eras of basketball that they played in.
The Physicality of the Game
One of the biggest differences that Green and Kuzma discussed was the physicality of the game. Green, who played in the late 2010s, said that the game has become less physical over time, with referees calling more fouls and players being less likely to get away with hard fouls or rough play. Kuzma, on the other hand, said that he had noticed the trend but that he didn't think it was necessarily a bad thing. He said that he preferred the more open style of play that was common today, as it allowed for more creativity and athleticism.
The Role of Three-Point Shooting
Another major difference that Green and Kuzma discussed was the role of three-point shooting in the game. Green said that when he first entered the league, three-point shooting was not nearly as important as it is today. He said that he had to work hard to develop his own three-point shot and that he had seen many players struggle to adapt to the new emphasis on outside shooting. Kuzma, on the other hand, said that he had grown up in an era where three-point shooting was already a major part of the game, and that he had always worked on his outside shot as a result.
The Importance of Analytics
Finally, Green and Kuzma discussed the importance of analytics in today's game. Green said that when he first started playing, analytics were not nearly as prevalent as they are now, and that many coaches and players dismissed them as irrelevant. However, he said that as he had progressed in his career, he had come to appreciate the value of data-driven decision making and that he had seen firsthand how much it could help teams to maximize their performance. Kuzma agreed, saying that he thought analytics were an important part of the game and that he was always looking for ways to use data to improve his own play.
Conclusion
Overall, Green and Kuzma's discussion highlighted some of the major differences between the eras of basketball that they played in. From the increased emphasis on three-point shooting to the growing importance of analytics, the game has certainly evolved over time. However, both players agreed that the fundamental aspects of basketball, such as teamwork, creativity, and athleticism, remain just as important today as they ever have been.