The Golden State Warriors had a dream start to the season as they went on to win game after game until recently. After being at the top of the league for the start of the season and destroying teams left and right, it seems like the Dubs have now slowed down.
There are probably two major reasons for the Warriors’ recent poor form. First, their superstar Stephen Curry is going through a shooting slump. This is the first time in his long career that fans have seen Curry having trouble in shooting consistently. Seeing their superstar struggle must have resulted in the morale of the team taking a hit.
Moreover, someone who can cheer up the unit and is a vocal leader is also missing from the roster. Yes, we are talking about none other than former DPOY Draymond Green. Green’s impact on the game is much more than numbers.
He is not someone who will stuff the box score, but he plays the role of a defensive anchor for the team. Without him, it appears as if the Warriors’ confidence is shattered. Former NBA player turned analyst Kendrick Perkins also believes the absence of Green is one of the major reasons for the team’s recent struggles.
After the Dubs were blown out by Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, Perkins was asked about his biggest takeaway from the game. To which Perkins replied:
“This game showed us, last night and the past few games why Draymond Green is the heart and soul of the Golden State Warriors. You know they swag has been missing and it’s missing because of Draymond. We already know how he gets Steph involved, we know his defensive intangibles, but when you are getting off that bus and you have a certain type of swag, it’s because you have your big brother. So when you have Draymond and you are on the road and you get off that bus and it’s hollow, now all of a sudden you could look and watch yourself walk because you’re dripping so much. But they are missing Draymond and some people wanna say, oh but he’s not scoring 50, nobody gives those guys swag.”
“This game showed us … why Draymond green is the heart and soul of the Golden State Warriors. … They swag has been missing and it’s missing because of Draymond.”
—@KendrickPerkins on the Warriors recent struggles pic.twitter.com/RWKMRJL6Fz
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 14, 2022
Perkins pointed this out after the Warriors were defeated by the Bucks. Following that defeat, the Dubs went on to utterly destroy the Chicago Bulls in their next fixture and unfortunately were yet again blown out by the Minnesota Timberwolves in their most recent game.
So while the absence of Draymond Green might be playing a role in their struggles, they still need to find a way to be consistent until he returns. Otherwise, the Warriors might be on the verge of blowing off a phenomenal start to the 2021-22 NBA season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3YWvOpqO_s
