Draymond Green, Kevin Love Say That All Players Are 'Susceptible' to Trash Talk

Draymond Green and Kevin Love are about to go head-to-head for the third straight NBA Finals, but the rivals can agree on one thing: The Golden State Warriors star's trash talk can push the buttons of even the best players.

"Everybody's susceptible to that," Green told reporters Wednesday. "I don't care who you are."

Love, who will likely see Green as his primary defender, said he agreed with the assessment and credited him with giving the Warriors their edge.

"He's one of the best in the game at being a trash-talker," Love said. "He's a guy, like I mentioned, that sets the tone for them. And this is the NBA Finals. I think that everybody expects that and hopes for that. It's two—the best two teams in the league going at it. So, it's definitely fun to be a part of, and it's just part of the game."

Green (and his trash talk) will be a part of an E:60 profile that will run Sunday on ESPN. The show's Twitter feed offered a glimpse into Green's mindset after some midseason chirping with recently retired Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce:

Love is averaging 17.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game during the postseason, his best playoff run since joining the Cavaliers. His third season in Cleveland has been a major improvement over the first two, which saw some view him as the "weak link" in the Cavs' Big Three. Green said he'll try to use his speed advantage to knock Love out of rhythm.

"I just try to use my speed to my advantage," Green said. "Try to take him out of spots where he's comfortable. Make him do some things that maybe he don't want to do. In saying that, he can still have great games. But just got to stay locked in, try to minimize him as much as possible.

"When he's going, he makes their team a lot better, so it is my job to try to take him out of the game. It doesn't always happen that way, it doesn't, and it's definitely not easy, but it's possible."

The Cavaliers and Warriors, who have split the last two NBA Finals, will meet Thursday night for Game 1 of their rubber match.