Draymond Green has shared an unfiltered perspective on the significance of reaching the NBA Finals, particularly in light of the New York Knicks' recent loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. On his podcast, "The Draymond Green Show," he expressed his belief that simply making it to the NBA Finals is one of the least rewarding achievements in basketball, emphasizing that there are no consolation prizes for teams that fall short of winning the championship.

Green stated, “If you want me to be quite honest with you, I personally think making it to the NBA Finals is one of the worst seasons you can have.” He elaborated, noting that the gap between reaching the Finals and actually winning the championship is vast. Despite the Knicks and other teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves experiencing what many would consider a successful season, Green pointed out that without the trophy, they face similar soul-searching challenges as those who were eliminated earlier in the playoffs.

He criticized the notion that reaching the Finals is an accomplishment, remarking that teams come away with little more than a few extra dollars and a longer wait until summer. “You walk with nothing,” he said, highlighting the emotional toll of coming so close yet ending up empty-handed. Green warned that this disappointment could lead organizations to make hasty roster decisions, mistakenly believing they are just one minor adjustment away from success.

Green's commentary serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes in the NBA, where the ultimate goal is not merely to compete but to win. As he reflects on the Knicks' loss, he suggests that any team not clinching the championship will face the same introspection, regardless of how far they progressed in the playoffs. Ultimately, he concluded, "Yeah, making it to the Finals is great, but if you don’t win it, it’s almost worse. You might as well have lost in the first round."