Tom Izzo reveals how he coached Draymond Green at Michigan State

After the Golden State Warriors won Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals, Draymond Green built upon his argument as one of the most decorated basketball players of the last decade. He’s now a four-time champion, four-time All Star, two-time All NBA selection, and 2017’s Defensive Player of the Year. While his reputation has only grown as a player everyone loves to hate, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo knows better than most what makes his former Spartan tick.

In an appearance on ‘The Herd’ with Colin Cowherd, Izzo says Green is just a player you have to be around to understand and value.

“You have to be around him to appreciate him. I say that with great respect,” said Izzo. “I told him after (one of the) late game of the (Western Conference Finals) that I thought he let the officiating get to him. And he agreed.”

Green spent four years under Izzo from 2008 until 2012. During his career in East Lansing, he helped the Spartans win 107 games. He went on to win Big 10 Player of the Year in 2012. The Warriors drafted him 35th overall in 2012 and has had a Hall of Fame level career during his ten years in the NBA.

Regardless of the personality, Izzo swears by Green and knows how important winning is to him.

“He is very smart. Yes, he’s emotional but he’s smarter than people give him credit for,” said Izzo. “Some of it is just part of what he does. I promise you winning is the most important thing to him. He’s a tough kid.”

Although he vouched for him, Izzo is also someone who had his fair share of confrontations with Green. Green’s former head coach is one of the few names in the sport who can match his energy. In Izzo’s words, that combustible relationship led to some fireworks on more than one occasion.

“There were some timeouts that were really interesting as you can imagine,” Izzo jokingly said. “All those huddles were legendary, you know? Players still talk about them.”

As one of Tom Izzo’s all-time greats, Green’s jersey was retired at the Breslin Center in December of 2019. That success has carried over to the pros as, after the 2022 Finals, Izzo’s pupil is now well on his way to Springfield.