Amid a rough stretch for the Warriors, Klay Thompson anticipated the arrival of much-needed reinforcements.
Draymond Green, who has been out for the past two months, is expected back early next week, and his importance to the team’s success has been well documented.
“I’m so excited. I haven’t been on the floor with Dray in some years,” Thompson told ClutchPoints. “I love competing with Draymond. He brings us to another level and we dearly miss him out there. I’m just so grateful he’s coming back. We’re not the same, obviously, without him.”
Green returned for a blink during Klay’s debut but has otherwise not had the opportunity to re-join him on the court this season.
The expert playmaker and elite defender suffered a back injury in January, and the Warriors have seen a sharp decline in performance since, and are just 3-7 in their last 10 games.
“We’re all built in terms of trust and chemistry, and to have a guy like [Green] who is very vocal, high IQ, has a certain approach to leadership, all that stuff matters,” said Warriors star Steph Curry. “Understand that, especially without Draymond for this extended stretch, our offense is a little different…There is a lot more responsibility in terms of playmaking, being on the ball and handling that attention. You lean on the other pieces to keep the boat afloat, but we’re not going to be anything great with how we’re built,” Curry said. “[Green] is obviously a big part of that.”
With Green’s upcoming return and Thompson getting better every single game, the Dubs are in an adequate position to take the West and re-claim their status as a powerhouse.
Still, the path will not be easy. Challengers have surfaced in every direction and if anything goes wrong, it could squad title hopes for good.
Until Draymond officially steps back on the court, there is just no way to know for sure how strong they really are.
