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Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green is far more than an overhyped fifth wheel

By Nathan Beighle

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 18: DeMarcus Cousins #0, and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors hi-five each other during the game against the LA Clippers on January 18, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 18: DeMarcus Cousins #0, and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors hi-five each other during the game against the LA Clippers on January 18, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors, with the return of DeMarcus Cousins, have five stars, and oftentimes, it’s Draymond Green dubbed unneeded.

For those that watch the Golden State Warriors, that’s just not the case. Green is one of the team’s most impactful players although it doesn’t always show up in the box score.

Currently in the midst of what many would dub his worst professional season, Green is averaging under eight points per game yet is still consistently finding a way to get others involved. His calling card ever since entering the league has been his energy and unselfishness.

That’s one reason why playing alongside two superstars hasn’t negatively impacted his game. It’s difficult to say the addition of Kevin Durant hasn’t impacted his game though. Making Green shift into more of an off-ball making role, Durant’s thrived while Green adjusts to the new style of play.

This season, Green’s been exactly what Golden State has needed him to be. Averaging over seven assists and rebounds per game, Green is a unicorn of sorts, tallying more assists and rebounds per game than points.

However, the Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr, appreciates the way and manner in which Green plays the game.

“What Draymond is doing is changing the game,” Kerr said regarding Draymond’s assist-to-turnover ratio. Of players averaging over 30 minutes per game, Green is fourth with a 2.8 assist-to-turnover ratio.

7.3 assists per game to 2.6 turnovers per game make Green a unique player. Not many players can do that. Green, who is up for a max contract after next season, will be a star player in 2020 free agency period because of how he’s grown his game while in the Bay.

At the top of the team in both assists and rebounds, Green does the dirty work. It’s not just the dirty work that makes Green valuable. It’s that he can do all that while being efficient in his play style.

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Moving forward, Green should continue to have a large role in the Warriors’ offensive and defensive gameplans because of his unselfishness and passion surrounding each and every game.

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