Vince Ellis

Detroit Free Press

TORONTO – You can take the man out of Michigan.

But you can’t take Michigan out of the man.

That’s what you hear listening to Draymond Green, who became well-known when he started at Saginaw High and Michigan State.

Green now stars for the Golden State Warriors and will make his first appearance in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night.

Among the many questions he was asked during Friday’s media availability in the Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Centre Toronto, he was asked about the Warriors’ rampage through the NBA with a 48-4 record and how their free-wheeling style is influencing today’s game.

But there were many questions related to his humble beginnings in the state he still loves.

He was asked about the impact on his life of his high school basketball coach.

He was reminded of the 2008 Michigan Mr. Basketball voting when he finished second.

Early in the session, he referenced his family that has seen him through his 25 years.

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And in hearing his comments when talking about his family, you could sense him saying the same things about the state of Michigan.

“From what I hear, they’re having a good time, which is important for them to enjoy this moment as well because it’s a special moment,” Green said of the family that took a bus from Michigan to attend NBA All-Star Weekend.

“They’ve been a part of it just like I have. I really look forward to them enjoying this moment as much as I do.”

The beginning

Lou Dawkins was there near the start of Green’s basketball journey.

Green first played for Dawkins on the AAU circuit.

And the pairing was magical when they led Saginaw to Class A state titles in 2007-08.

But Green said the relationship goes beyond the basketball floor.

“He definitely got a hold of me at a young age and just really taught me some things that I’ll apply in my life for the rest of my life,” Green said. “Some of those things are hard to put into words because it’s more about off the court than on the court.

“He taught me a lot about basketball, but some of the lessons he taught me about growing up into a man is special.”

Green has reached the heights of the NBA. Dawkins is now an assistant coach at Northern Illinois.

Green said he has regular talks with the father figure.

“It’s still that way,” Green said. “We stay in touch all the time about what I’m doing, what they’re doing.

“It’s one of those relationships that you build through basketball, but it’ll be there for the rest of your life.”

The first snub

When you consider Green’s play in Michigan basketball history, it’s almost stunning to remember he didn’t win Mr. Basketball in 2008.

It went to Brad Redford, who put on amazing shooting displays at Frankenmuth.

Green admits it did fuel him, but there is nothing against Redford, a guy who was once a good friend of his. They were on the same AAU team for a time.

“Brad was incredible,” Green said. “The way he was shooting the ball, the numbers he was putting up, some of the stuff he was doing had never been done before. It was incredible, so it wasn’t like: ‘Oh, man, that shouldn’t have happened.’ ”

“I thought I should have won Mr. Basketball, but he was just as deserving, maybe more deserving than me. But obvious a lot of that stuff fueled me. You take that fuel, and you get in the gym, and you work, work.”

Redford attended Xavier but never reached Green’s heights.

“You get to a point where guys go their separate ways,” Green said. “Through college, we kind of lost contact, but always been a good friend of mine and always will be.”

Here and now

Green has a full plate this weekend.

Appearances, a little practice time and many interviews will gobble up his spare time.

And then there is the matter of Sunday’s game.

So it’s understandable when he spoke to the media, he hadn’t had a chance to meet with his family, who took a bus ride from Michigan on Thursday night.

“I haven’t even had a chance to see them yet,” he said. “They got in last night and obviously getting up this morning and heading over to the media, you know how it is.”

It’s a given Green, 25, will catch up with his family before the weekend is over.

It’s a natural celebration for the hard work that has paid off.

“It definitely validates the hard work, and you obviously want to see a payoff,” Green said. “There’s not many greater accomplishments than being an All-Star.

“I definitely don’t take it for granted. I’m going to enjoy this moment and enjoy this opportunity. I’ll continue to put the work in, continue to work as hard as I possibly can, and hopefully this is the first of many.”

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Contact Vince Ellis at vellis@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @vincent_ellis56.

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NBA All-Star Game

When: 8:20 p.m., Sunday.

Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto.

TV/radio: TNT, TBS; WMGC-FM (105.1).

Local ties: Andre Drummond (Pistons), Draymond Green (MSU/Saginaw), Al Horford (Grand Ledge).