Draymond Green is hopefully returning soon for the Warriors

Shortly after the Warriors’ loss on Thursday, Draymond Green stated that he is targeting a return in a couple of weeks. This is great news for Golden State as they have struggled to stay at .500 without him.

Green is the heart and soul of the Warriors team on both offense and defense. He brings leadership, energy, and an incredibly high IQ for the game.

Golden State Warriors’ four-time All-Star Draymond Green is one of the most important and game-altering players in the NBA.

Many hate him, try to say he’s ‘trash’ or ‘washed’, though few deny that if he were in free agency that they wouldn’t want their team offering him a large contract.

While his stat sheet, 7.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game, doesn’t stand out from other players, watching him play, it is clear that he is one of the best the game has to offer.

Draymond Green is one of the few players in the league that is involved in every play offensively, but the same runs true defensively. He is truly capable of defending every player on an opposing team.

Draymond has a history of playing the small-ball center.

He has defended much taller players in the past, including but not limited to: Kristaps Porzingis, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and LeBron James. Green does well every time. He has also played against much smaller players, like Damian Lillard, Isaiah Thomas, Kyrie Irving, among others.

Green is still somehow one of the frontrunners for the Defensive Player of the Year award despite not playing since January 9, really attesting to his defensive prowess.

Draymond Green may be one of the best defensive players of all time, but his absence has hurt the Warriors’ offense more than it has hurt their defense.

Before Green’s injury, the Warriors had the second-best offensive efficiency in the league, now they sit in ninth with Charolette right behind them.

They have managed to stay atop the league in defensive efficiency, even without Green.

Many have argued that the drop in the Warriors’ offense can be attributed to Stephen Curry’s shooting struggles this season, first-time All-Star Andrew Wiggins’ recent struggles, or even Klay Thompson’s jet lag from missing two and a half seasons.

Though many of these can be traced back to Green’s absence. Draymond brings a level of energy that keeps players putting in 100% of their effort.

Draymond Green also brings elite playmaking to the table, being able to make high-level reads, including mind-boggling passes to players as they cut, or players open in the corner for an easy three.

Without Green being the primary facilitator as he normally is, there is more attention put toward the other stars on the roster, including double teams for Curry and Wiggins, while keeping attached to Jordan Poole and Thompson off the ball as well.

Green runs almost every play, encourages players to move off the ball, and finds ways to help teammates improve.

You can often see Draymond pulling young players aside during a timeout or while on the bench, instructing them on how to get more open looks, or to just help them stay confident.

Green returning may just help the Warriors return to the top seed. A healthy Golden State roster including Draymond would definitely be one of the favorites for the title.