Revisiting Draymond Green's work with 'Lean in Together'

Draymond Green was one of several NBA stars to #LeanInTogether with the women in their lives in order to support them in their endeavors.

There’s a genuine problem when one of the world’s biggest professional sports leagues–a league whose championship game has become an unofficial holiday–cares more about cleats and dancing more than women. Regardless of how you feel about the game of football, the NFL just doesn’t get it. Luckily, the NBA is on the opposite end of that spectrum.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver entered a partnership with Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO and Lean In founder. Her organization aims to inspire women and help them overcome the obstacles that society has placed in front of them. The NBA joined in.

In 2015, the league joined in #LeanInTogether. The movement calls for men to support the women in their lives because everyone benefits from it. They launched an ad campaign featuring stars from around the league. Players like Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade teamed up with WNBA stars like Skylar Diggins and Elena Delle Donne to encourage everyone to join them.

But that wasn’t enough. So in 2016, the NBA went even deeper. They focused on a few stars from around the league and gave them an opportunity to share why leaning in together is so important to them. Utah’s Gordon Hayward, Miami’s Chris Bosh, San Antonio’s Becky Hammon, and Golden State’s Draymond Green all weighed in. They explained what it means to Lean In.

The Warriors’ All-Star talked about his mom, Mary Babers-Green. He explained how she’s done so much for him and now it’s his turn to lean in instead of just leaning on. He expressed the need to change the mindset to one that says women are just as capable of men by saying “everybody’s key term is ‘you’re a man go do this.’ You’re a woman, go do this.”

Green spoke about the strides that we have made as a society in striving for gender equality. He also noted that the work is not done and there’s still so much more ground to cover. He added (via the video above):

“I think more so than anything, it’s about being there. It’s about really trying to support everything that she believes in and she wants to do. And it’s very important for women to strive and be all they want to be.”

Mary talked about how it’s in Draymond’s nature to help. Just like on the basketball court where he values the assist, he wants to help others, including women. It’s who he is.

The two have a special relationship. Here at Blue Man Hoop, we’ve been lucky to work with Mama Green and she’s awesome. It’s clear that this mother-son relationship has a very strong bond. She’s tough on him, pushing him to be the best he can be. And if she sees you tweeting silly stuff about her son or her team, then she will unleash on you.

This work is important. The NBA is the greatest league in the world, not just because basketball is the best game, but because they do things like this. It truly is on all of us to support the women in our lives.

Draymond hit the nail right on the head. Progress has been made, but there’s still work to be done. We–and I say “we” because I am a man–have a responsibility to help elevate the women around us. Everything is better when there’s a level playing field. When women are getting the opportunities they deserve, we all benefit.

It’s important to emphasize this point, especially now. When an organization that trots out pink merchandise fails to stand up for women. What Draymond, Mary, and the NBA are all doing is wonderful.

We all need to Lean In Together.