Kristaps Porzingis’ pregame comments bought him a night of Draymond Green torture

It was mid-March of 2016 when Draymond Green first put the clamps on Kristaps Porzingis. The Knicks’ rookie unicorn shot just 1-for-11, scoring two points in a 121-85 blowout loss to the Warriors. In fact, in both games against Golden State last season, Porzingis shot a combined 4-for-19.

His poor shooting performances against Green served as motivation for New York’s first matchup against Golden State this season, and Porzingis let people know it.

“I want to go out there. Last season, right after the game was over I was thinking when was the next time we were going to get a chance to play against them,” Porzingis said, via ESPN. “I’m ready for him.”

Turns out, someone tipped Green off to Porzingis’ comments before the game. As if he didn’t have all the motivation he already needed. Green said the the comments “pissed [him] off.”

“My Nike rep, Adrian [Stelly], showed me something on the sideline like two minutes right before the game tipped off that kind of pissed me off and made me want to go a little harder this game and guard him,” Green said. “So, it was good. I appreciate him for showing me that because I think I was in La-la Land before he showed me that and it just immediately pissed me off.”

The Warriors’ Defensive Player of the Year award candidate showcased his trademark physical, scrappy defense, holding the now second-year Knicks forward to just eight points on 4-for-13 shooting from the field. Porzingis never looked comfortable and his Knicks, short both Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony, lost to the Warriors, 103-90, on Thursday.

“I like the passion, I like the dog that he has, I like that you want to see me again, but keep that to yourself,” Green said. “Don’t let everybody know that you’re going after me. So I guess we’re going to go after each other and that’s fine. I think he’s a great player. I think he will continue to get better and better, but that made it real personal.”

The Knicks and Warriors face off again March 5, only this time New York will play host. He may have drawn the short end of the stick this time, but maybe Porzingis’ 30.7-percent shooting night will give him even more motivation to give Green some buckets.

He just has to keep it to himself next time.