Warriors forward Draymond Green's affection for friend, rival and Lakers forward LeBron James is a long-running joke among NBA fans. Both are represented by Klutch Sports, they've collaborated creatively and Green frequently defends James from criticism by writers and former players.
A Monday afternoon report, however, indicated that Green's appreciation for James is even greater than he publicly lets on—and it may have stoked tension at a crucial point in Golden State's season.
According to ESPN's Marc Spears, Green requested to miss part of a Warriors road trip to be in Los Angeles on Feb. 7, when James became the all-time leading scorer in NBA history during Los Angeles's 133–130 loss to the Thunder.