Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green not interested in Play-In game

It should come as no surprise that Draymond Green isn’t thrilled by anything other than battling for a championship. The Golden State Warriors star told reported recently that the chance of reaching the Play-In game isn’t something he thinks about.

According to ESPN, Draymond Green has no interest in pushing the Golden State Warriors into the newly added Play-In game.

For those unfamiliar, the NBA has implemented a new format for reaching the playoffs. The top-10 seeds in each conference have a shot at reaching the postseason. The seventh and eighth seeds will face off, with the loser of that game entering a win-die situation. The winner of the nine-ten game challenges the loser of the seven-eight game for the final spot.

The Warriors currently qualify for the play-in game, sitting at tenth in the Western Conference with a 23-25 overall record. As of now, they would need to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies, then either the San Antonio Spurs or Dallas Mavericks to reach the playoffs with this format.

Green had this to say about the new format:

"“To be honest with you, I don’t go into these games thinking like, ‘Man, we need to win these games to get to the playoffs…I’ll be 100 percent honest with you, fighting for a play-in spot does not motivate me. We’re in what, [9th]? Fighting for a [play-in] spot doesn’t motivate me at all.”Via ESPN"

This doesn’t mean that Green wants to miss the playoffs. Rather, it sounds as if Green’s simply saying he isn’t using it as the driving force behind why he plays each night. This is further reinforced by how he concluded his postgame interview.

"“I want to win. That’s enough motivation for me, but I’m not going to spend every day like, ‘Man, we’re right on the cusp of that play-in’ — I don’t give a damn about that play-in game”Via ESPN"

I can’t say I blame Green. What exactly is there to be excited about? At this stage in his career, Green has seen it all. From winning a record-breaking 73 regular-season games to rattling off three championships in five seasons. It’s hard to imagine a chance at losing in the first round is the type of thing to rev up Draymond’s engines.

While the Warriors will certainly play each game with the intention of winning, the franchise should be more focused on other goals. This season, as far as capturing another title goes, is over. Instead, all efforts need to center around laying down a foundation for next year – when the Dubs are fully healthy and make a serious push for the playoffs, not a play-in game.