Why NBA Players Are Flocking to Podcasting—A Deep Dive with Draymond Green

By Edcel Panganiban September 05, 2025 00:21

In recent years, the NBA has witnessed a notable trend: an increasing number of players are stepping off the hardwood and into the studio to launch their own podcasts. These platforms allow athletes to share their stories, thoughts, and perspectives unfiltered, creating fresh avenues for fan engagement and raising the stars' profiles beyond basketball. Among these player-podcasters, Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green stands out as both a pioneer and a vocal advocate for athletes entering the podcasting arena.

Draymond Green’s podcast, The Draymond Green Show, has gained significant traction since its inception. Known for his fiery passion and candid nature on the court, Green brings the same energy to his episodes, offering insights into basketball and life rarely seen in mainstream sports media. His ability to candidly discuss topics from teammate dynamics to league-wide trends resonates with listeners craving authenticity. As Green remarked on one episode, "I don’t want to sugarcoat anything. This is real talk from a player who's lived it".

The rise in NBA player podcasts corresponds with a broader shift in how athletes engage with fans. Traditionally, players’ voices were filtered through post-game interviews or media narratives. Now, podcasts offer an unedited, long-form platform where players control their message. Podcasts like The Lowe Post and Thinking Basketball have thrived by combining expert analysis with player appearances, but players hosting their own shows mark a further evolution in sports media.

Why are NBA stars flocking to podcasting in such numbers? The appeal is multifaceted. For one, podcasts serve as a branding tool, allowing players to build their personal brands and connect with supporters on a deeper level. It’s also a business opportunity; successful shows attract sponsorships and advertising revenue. Moreover, podcasting offers players a space to discuss social issues, mental health, and career challenges, humanizing them beyond athletic achievements. As one NBA fan put it, "We see players as athletes, but podcasts reveal their human side full of stories, struggles, and humor".

However, podcasting while playing is not without controversy. A recent study revealed that Draymond Green’s on-court stats tend to dip on games following his podcast recordings, causing some fans to worry about the impact on his performance. Notably, Green’s points, assists, steals, and shooting percentages have shown slight but measurable declines, leading to social media banter about “Toxic Take Syndrome”. Despite these criticisms, Green and other players maintain that podcasting enriches their overall experience in and out of the game.

Draymond Green also uses his platform to spotlight teammates and league icons. A recent episode featured an impassioned case for Steph Curry as a GOAT contender, illuminating the impact Curry has had on basketball's evolution. "There’s no one in NBA history schemed against and guarded like Steph. You’re telling me he’s not in that conversation?" Green asserted.

Statistically, the players drawing the highest digital attention also tend to leverage media platforms extensively. LeBron James leads with 3.23 billion views on NBA social platforms, followed by Curry with 2.56 billion, highlighting how media presence amplifies superstar status. Podcasting is naturally the next frontier in this digital expansion.

In summary, the surge of NBA players into podcasting, led by voices like Draymond Green, reflects a new era of athlete empowerment in media. These podcasts deliver authenticity, deepen fan connections, and open new commercial possibilities—all while providing players a platform to shape their own narratives. Whether on the court or in the studio, NBA stars are proving they have more to say than the game alone can express.