Many Golden State Warriors’ haters don’t want to admit it, but Draymond Green has value and his recent absence proved it even further.
The Golden State Warriors have turned from, at full strength, the league’s clear best team for the last four seasons to the laughing stock of the West in just a few shorts months. However, it’s not necessarily their fault.
The team’s best two players will be out until early February. Klay Thompson may not return at all this season. D’Angelo Russell has missed over four of the team’s 16 games and even three-time All-Star Draymond Green has been consistently absent.
For the Warriors, many of their players are now being given a new, rare opportunity to shine. Players like Alec Burks are stepping into a position that they wouldn’t have had if the roster was fully healthy.
Even Draymond Green is proving his value and rebuilding his reputation that was shattered with Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry all fully immersed in the offense.
In the team’s third victory, Green put up eight points, ten rebounds and 11 assists. This was his second game with double-figure rebounds and assists. Both have resulted in dominant wins for Golden State.
His involvement has been crucial.
It was again on full display against the Mavericks. Yes, it was likely that with Green in the lineup, the Mavs would’ve still won. However, with Green, the Dubs not nearing 100 with the Mavericks topping 140 doesn’t seem likely.
He’s just an all-around game-changer, and without Russell on the court, the Warriors were really only left with Eric Paschall and Burks left to create. While Green likely won’t reach the levels he played at prior to Durant’s arrival, he’s is still a critical member of this team.
Recently signing a nine-figure extension, Green will be locked in the bay for a long time. For Green and the Dubs, that’ll be a great pairing, especially when the team regains their health.
Overall, his play has been one of the bright spots of a rather gloomy start to the season.