Draymond Green: The Warriors’ Heartbeat
In countless postgame press conferences, Steve Kerr has lauded Draymond Green, as the “heartbeat” of the Golden State Warriors.
He also exclaimed that his impact on the game does not always show up on the stat sheet, but on Friday night at Oracle Arena, he showed up in all phases of the game.
Green recorded his first triple-double as a pro with 16 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in a blowout win over the East’s best, the Toronto Raptors, 126-105. He shot 50 percent from the field, blocked two shots and recorded two steals. It was the most complete game of anyone on the Warriors this season and certainly Green’s best game in the NBA.
But maybe we should have expected this? He did have two triple-doubles in college with Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament, the biggest stage in college basketball but there were still so many questions when Green was drafted.
Was he big enough to play power forward? Did he have the fitness to play in the NBA? Would be able to hit open jumpers?
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Well, he has answered all these questions in his third year in the league with a resounding yes — and then some. Green may be the Warriors’ best perimeter defender and even though he is only 6’7”, he can guard every position on the floor. Whether it is Jonas Valanciunas in the post or Terrence Ross on the perimeter, he locks them up with heart and pure effort. He gives the Warriors a toughness on defense that we have never seen for a typically offensive team and his effort has rubbed off on everyone, making the Warriors the top defensive team in the NBA.
We all knew he could defend coming into the league, but what we did not know was how much he would improve on the offensive end of the court. For a guy that had no range in college, Green has made himself a good shooter that stretches the floor. He is shooting 45 percent from the floor and 34 percent on threes, making him a threat defenses have to honor. In his rookie season, Green only shot 33 percent and 21 percent, respectively, in those areas, so he has improved so much shooting the basketball.
But the biggest revelation of them all is Green’s playmaking abilities. He always seems to know where everyone is at all times, which was especially indicative last night with his career performance. Whether it is guys cutting in the lane, or spotting up for jumpers or lobs, Green always makes the right decision and has thrived in Steve Kerr’s motion offense.
The injury to David Lee may have been a blessing in disguise for the Warriors because there is absolutely no way this team would be 26-5 atop the Western Conference with Lee as the starting power forward. Green brings so much more to this team that Lee cannot provide, especially on the defensive end. Green is having such a good season that there has been talk about him being the most improved player in the league and he may also garner some All-Star consideration.
With all these potential accolades, Green’s next contract amount continues to rise. The Warriors need to pony up whatever is necessary to keep him because he is their heartbeat, and losing the heartbeat will kill this organization.
Next: Warriors surge past Raptors behind Green's triple-double