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Warriors’ Draymond Green may have played the best basketball of his career last season

By Nathan Beighle

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MAY 04: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball down court during the first quarter of an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on May 04, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MAY 04: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball down court during the first quarter of an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on May 04, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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It’s easy to look at Draymond Green’s stats and judge how he plays the game of basketball, but when it boils down to it, this past season may have been one of the most impactful of his decorated career.

Green, for starters, is a three-time All-Star forward, and he’s also a three-time NBA champion. Now, to be honest, he didn’t get anywhere close to an appearance in the game this season. His time as an All-Star player could be over because his numbers just aren’t there.

The Golden State Warriors have the system to utilize the skill set that Draymond Green has developed, and it’s been a perfect marriage up to this point.

Knowing that Green’s days as a primary scoring option could be over, it’s okay to see his per-game points average dwindle down to 7.0 points per game, half of what his career-high average was. However, it’s all within his role.

It’s changed drastically, and it will continue to evolve. Green is less of the beneficiary and more of the playmaker. He seldom makes plays for himself but instead has cemented himself as one of the best passing forwards in the NBA.

While his shooting was down and at times embarrassingly bad, Green’s ultimate mission was to get his teammates involved. With two-time MVP Stephen Curry distracting defenders, Green’s job was to attack the glass and kick to the shooters when stopped.

He did just that, time and time again.

It resulted in a career-high 8.9 assists per game, a noticeable amount more than his previous career-high. He managed that because he made the right plays. With his jumper oddly falling apart later into his career, Green has had to manage by stepping up both his defense and playmaking.

It’s not the flashiest basketball ever, and he’s not the one credited with scoring the points.

But, the impact is there. When Green fakes the handoff to Curry in typical fashion or snags a pass after screening for the star, he was making the right plays which is why his assist rate was over 35 percent for the first time in his career.

Kelly Oubre Jr., Andrew Wiggins, Stephen Curry, and many other players shot over 46 percent when Green hit them with a pass that resulted in a shot. That’s the number that those judging Green’s game need to be worried about.

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He’s finding open players, and he’s doing his best to captain the offense. That’s his role now, and he’s doing very well in it.

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