Draymond Green’s Will to Win is Unmatched
The Golden State Warriors had their hands full on Tuesday night in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Trail Blazers were hitting tough shot after tough shot with much of their damage coming from behind the arc. After three quarters, the Blazers were comfortably up by 11 and whenever the Warriors would make a run, either Damian Lillard or C.J. McCollum would make a play.
With soon to be MVP, Stephen Curry out with a knee sprain, it would be tough for the Warriors to make a comeback, especially with Klay Thompson struggling all night. The Warriors needed a spark and they got it from Draymond Green. Green’s will to win and fire is unmatched by anyone in the NBA and he proved yet again on Tuesday night.
Late in the third quarter, Festus Ezeli made his first appearance in the Western Conference Semifinals and with help from Green made an immediate impact. Ezeli scored eight points in the 4th quarter including two lob dunks from Green. But where Ezeli’s presence was felt most was at the defensive end of the court. For much of the game, the Blazers killing the Warriors on 1-5 pick and rolls, resulting in open threes for Lillard and McCollum.
The Blazers were so successful because the Warriors center, either Andrew Bogut or Anderson Varejao, would not come out on Lillard and contest his shot because they did not have quickness. But when Ezeli entered the game, he was able to slow down Lillard, using his quickness to contest his shot or stay with him off the dribble. He was able stay with the Blazers guards because of the trust he had in Green to switch onto the Blazers center, Mason Plumlee.
Plumlee has been a non-factor in this series due to the defense of Bogut and Green. Plumlee stands at 6’11” while Green, on a good day, is 6’7” so Plumlee should have the advantage against Green. But as all Warriors fans know, Green can guard everyone from the point guard to the center and it was no different in Game 2. Green absolutely dominated Plumlee in the post, using his strength, not allowing him to get any lift on his shot. The result was a Green blocked shot, caused Plumlee to commit an offensive foul and turn it over multiple times.
On the offensive end, it was no different against Plumlee. Green drove relentlessly to the rim, earning a foul on Plumlee and making it a five point game. From there, Green took over the game. After two Andre Iguodala free throws to make it 91-88 Blazers, Green found Thompson for a corner three to tie the game, which got him rolling. Green did not assist on Thompson’s next three but that first three got him out of his game-long slump.
When Green was not making plays for his teammates, he was taking matters into his own hands. With the Warriors up 3 with about 3 minutes left in regulation, Green made the biggest play of the game. With Shaun Livingston inbounding, Green sealed Al-Farouq Aminu, took the pass from Livingston, drove baseline and dunked it with two hands. Roaracle erupted with Green leading the cheers, pretty much sealing victory for the Warriors.
Green’s playmaking abilities and lockdown defense helped the Warriors win going away, 110-99, scoring the Blazers 34 to 12 in the final quarter. Green ended up with 17 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 blocks and one steal while locking up everyone he faced. Any time, Green makes a huge play, he screams with joy, which not only energizes the Oracle crowd but lifts everyone else’s games. This energy also causes opposing coaches to call timeouts and on Tuesday night, he called it for Terry Stotts.
"During the Warriors comeback last night, Draymond Green urged Portland to take a timeout"
Green is the heart and soul and the leader of this team that hates and refuses to lose. A solid role player last season has turned himself into an All-Star and MVP candidate this season. Some experts feel that even though, Curry will be the league MVP, Green may be the Warriors team MVP. After watching how dominant he has been this postseason without Curry, it is tough to argue that claim.