Draymond Green is widely viewed as one of the best defenders in the game. He is the type of player that can ruin an entire team’s offensive scheme. He is also a fantastic playmaker in the Warriors’ offense. Currently, Draymond Green is putting up 7.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 7.0 APG.
While he was fantastic earlier in the season, Draymond Green has not been the same player since coming back from injury. Draymond Green has even admitted that the Warriors are worse with him on the floor currently.
“I’ve never really been on a team that gets worse when I’m on the floor. That’s kind of where we are right now. Some things I can correct, some things will come with time.”
Warriors GM Bob Myers has recently opened up about Draymond Green’s struggles when speaking to Joe Shasky and Bonta Hill. He was asked about whether the Warriors would end up taking Green “out of the starting lineup”. Bob Myers claimed that he “would bet” on Draymond Green, and added that “he needs to get more time and more minutes to just get acclimated”. Alex Espinoza of 95.7 The Game relayed the news.
In his six contests back, Draymond is averaging 4.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists and 2.5 turnovers in about 23 minutes per game while shooting 33.3 percent from the floor. A dip in production was expected after a long layoff, but beyond that, his temper has got him in trouble and his return hasn’t had a huge impact on the team’s porous defense.
Hosts Joe Shasky and Bonta Hill asked [Bob] Myers if the Warriors have considered pulling back the reins on Green and taking him out of the starting lineup.
“I would bet on him,” Myers said. “I don’t think slowing him down or pulling him back [would help]. I actually think he needs to get more time and more minutes to just get acclimated. He was out a long time. … He still can be that guy. I believe he will before the season’s all said and done, but it’s gonna take a minute to get himself back into that.”
Hopefully, we see Draymond Green get back to the peak version of himself prior to the start of the playoffs. He is integral to the Warriors’ system, as he anchors the team’s defense and helps Stephen Curry get easier baskets.
The Golden State Warriors have lost 5 of their last 6 games, and they will need to figure out how to win without Stephen Curry, as he is currently injured. Perhaps we’ll see them get back on track before the end of the season.
