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Golden State Warriors are sorely missing Draymond Green

By Tony Pesta

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Draymond Green #23 and Eric Paschall #7 of the Golden State Warriors in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 05, 2020 in New York City. 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. Brooklyn Nets defeated the Golden State Warriors 129-88. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Draymond Green #23 and Eric Paschall #7 of the Golden State Warriors in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 05, 2020 in New York City. 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. Brooklyn Nets defeated the Golden State Warriors 129-88. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors will look like an entirely different team once Draymond Green makes his long-awaited return.

Everyone knew that losing Klay Thompson would be a vital blow to the Golden State Warriors‘ title hopes – but I don’t think enough is being said about how damaging it is to not have Draymond Green for the opening of the season

The media has been quick to overreact to the Dubs’ struggles early on. Back-to-back blowouts against two of the top teams in the league were enough for Twitter to begin spinning the ‘Stephen Curry is washed” narrative while even their last-second win over the Chicago Bulls didn’t do much to quell the bandwagon of hate.

I’ll admit, the losses on opening night and Christmas day were concerning. However, anyone who has been paying any type of attention to this team over the last year and a half should have known they would look like a mess to start the season.

It isn’t enough to say the Warriors haven’t played consistent NBA basketball since last March – they truly haven’t played like their normal selves since the 2019 NBA Playoffs when injuries plagued their potential run to another title. It has been that long since Curry has been healthy enough to lead the charge, and a nine-month layoff plus a flurry of new faces on the roster should be all it takes to cause this team to start off slow.

Yet, above all else, the absence of Green has been the root of most of their problems. No, Green won’t solve their shooting woes – only Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Oubre Jr. can address that. But, Green is one of the most versatile defenders in NBA history and an elite playmaker in the frontcourt. His experience and presence will instantly elevate the Dubs to a different level.

Simply having Green there to create plays for others will take some weight of Curry’s shoulders. It helps even more that Curry will be able to play off-ball and use Green’s screens to find more open looks for himself.

On defense, Green will anchor the Warriors’ efforts. There is no doubt in my mind that Green will successfully funnel everything into the paint where James Wiseman can clean up and take care of the rest.

Green’s leadership will be on full display once he returns. He has always brought the best out of his team and we should expect nothing less this season.

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