Draymond Green recently reacted to a viral meme that followed him for years, explaining how a running internet joke reshaped perception of his jump shot and quietly influenced how his NBA career was viewed.
The longtime forward believes the moment carried real consequences, because perception gradually became reality. What began as humor soon affected coverage, confidence, and how opposing defenses approached him on the court.
The 35-year-old basketball ace framed the episode as a warning about modern narratives. A single image, repeated often enough, can harden into accepted truth, especially when amplified across social media and television.
The joke surfaced in early 2018, when fans said the Golden State Warriors forward shot as if wearing a bulky backpack stuffed with school projects. The comparison spread quickly and became visual shorthand.
As repetition took hold, the meme moved beyond fan timelines. Twitter recycled it endlessly, and ESPN‘s The Jump leaned into the gag, pushing it into mainstream basketball discussion.
The origin story only added to its reach. A teenage fan later told SFGate the edited image took about 15 seconds to create, yet it became a defining snapshot tied to Green‘s jumper.
“My jump shot went to hell the moment that meme came out,” Green said while laughing during a conversation with Richard Jefferson, candidly linking the joke’s rise to a dip in confidence.
He reminded Jefferson that before the meme, shots were taken freely and without hesitation. Once the image stuck, however, every miss reinforced the narrative and every make felt like an exception.
The Warriors still leaned on his versatility, but defensive reactions shifted. Opponents sagged off from deep, daring attempts and living with the outcome, a strategy shaped by perception as much as data.
Green weighs in on NBA All-Star Game after LeBron James starter snub
And perception was on the agenda once again for the Warriors star during recent All-Star discussions, this time not centered around LeBron James missing out.
Green questioned how context and popularity influence honors across the league as he suggested Victor Wembanyama should not be worthy of NBA All-Star Game starter status – in the traditional East vs West format.
“For me, Wemby would not have been a starter if it were just straight up East versus West,” Green said, pointing to missed time and recent bench appearances in a crowded Western Conference race.
He instead cited Anthony Edwards, emphasizing workload and responsibility. Minnesota Timberwolves‘ strong season required Edwards to carry more offensively, strengthening his case despite the likelihood of a reserve spot.
“Needless to say, it is World vs. USA,” Green shared on his podcast, adding that Deni Avdija‘s international appeal and on-court impact for Portland Trail Blazers deserved legitimate consideration against the San Antonio Spurs star.
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