The opening game of the series between the two sides was played at New Orleans Arena.
On game day, both teams held open training sessions.
The Warriors' practice drew particular attention.
The Pelicans-Warriors Showdown had lasted four seasons, and every season had been full of highlights. But without exaggeration, this year was probably the most lopsided matchup yet.
Although the Pelicans had won 80 games last year, the Warriors had also fielded a Four-star lineup, so they had not looked inferior on paper.
But this year, Durant had left, while Green's drastic change in playing style had caused the team's defense to decline severely.
The outside world called it a reunion of old rivals, but everyone knew that the Warriors were the underdogs this year.
Especially now that Tang Tian had reached the peak of his career.
After the Warriors' practice ended, reporters swarmed Green.
With such a disparity in strength, they hoped to hear some trash talk from Green, just like in the past.
That would also make the game far more compelling.
"Draymond, everyone believes the Warriors will be eliminated now. ESPN also considers the Warriors the weaker side. What do you think about that?"
A TNT reporter asked the first question, and it was clearly meant to stir up some trash talk.
The other reporters all pointed their recorders at Green in unison.
They waited for what Green would say next. There was a high probability it would spark a war of words.
"Yes, we really are weaker."
But Green's response left everyone stunned.
Because the Warriors had performed poorly this season, reporters had not been particularly interested in interviewing him lately. They usually went looking for the Splash Brothers instead.
This was the first time in a long while that so many reporters had surrounded him.