Warriors‘ three-time All-Star forward Draymond Green will join first-time All-Star Andrew Wiggins and two-time MVP Stephen Curry at the 2022 All-Star Game. The game and events will be held in Cleveland this year.
Green’s numbers this season aren’t the best, but his impact for the Golden State Warriors is at an all-time high.
The Golden State Warriors will officially have three All-Stars this season with Draymond Green being dubbed a Western Conference reserve.
Green is arguably the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year as well. He’s averaging 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game, and he’s leading the Warriors league-best defense.
Considering Green isn’t averaging over 8 points, rebounds or assists, it’s great to see him recognized because his impact is easily that of an All-Star-caliber player. Green is averaging 7.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game this season.
While his three-point shooting has oddly declined since earlier on in his career, he’s shooting a career-high 54% from the field this season. Green is shooting over 65% of his shots from within ten feet. The 21% of his shot attempts that come from deep is the lowest rate of his career.
He understands his role on this team, and with it being more passing focus, it’s no surprise that he’s currently tying his career-high in assists per game.
The impact is certainly still there on both ends of the court which is why he can average so few points and still be elected to the All-Star Game. The Warriors are 8.8 points per 100 possessions better with Green on the court this season.
Not many players can make a team that much better than their opponent. That said, this is going to be Green’s first ASG appearance since the 2017-2018 season, so it’s been several years since he’s received the honor.
The Warriors are going to need big things from Green throughout the remainder of the season in order to reach their ultimate goal, an NBA Finals and hopefully an NBA Championship on top of that.
Having missed the last several weeks, Green, who has been out with a back injury, has announced he won’t actually be playing in the game. Nonetheless, the honor is his and will add another appearance to his Hall of Fame resume.