Mar 21, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts to a call against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts to a call against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
After the Los Angeles Lakers started their Western Conference Semifinals with a loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Draymond Green highlighted the only solution that he thinks the team has.
The 108-90 Game 1 loss against the Thunder exposed the poor offense and turnover struggles of the Lakers. And sitting down in his podcast, Green explained how only LeBron James can alter the Lakers’ game against OKC.
“If they want any chance, Bron has to man again the whole game,” he stated. “If he doesn’t, they won’t have much chance… I think their depth is far too much for the Lakers to handle. But, you know, LeBron looks comfortable. Like they’re not going to do nothing to speed him up. He’ll be fine.”
Ironically, the Lakers lost by 18 points, and Shai scored 18 points. But comparatively, James racked up 27 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists. And Green stated, “He can get those guys into the things that he wants to get into.”
However, the team “cannot have those stretches of turnovers because those are points.” The Lakers’ 17 turnovers cost them heavily. Because “when you make mistakes against OKC, they make you capitalise.”
To sum it up, the Lakers have to play a “perfect game to win.” But playing a perfect game against OKC, Green couldn’t see the possibility anytime soon.
Draymond Green Called OKC a “Well-Oiled Machine”
As the defending champion, the Thunder is standing on a 64-18 record. While Shai might be the cornerstone, the team has a unique all-around depth that hardly any other team does. And that was Green’s point.
"You have to like each other, which you can tell they love each other, which leads to all the magic,” he stated in 2025. "They got their top dog, their No. 2. Everybody comes in, and they know their role. From Shai to No. 23 to Brooks.”
It’s not just Shai. With at least 5 players scoring double digits, “everybody understands their roles.” And “that's the way it has to be to win in this league. They are a well-oiled machine (that) kinda just plug-and-play.”
Moving forward, do you think the Lakers could take down this “well-oiled” OKC? Comment it down.
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Written by
Deblina Roy
Edited by
Souvik Roy