Ranking Golden State Warriors from the 2022-23 season – Draymond Green
With the 2022-23 season having come to an end, we look back and review every player that took to the floor for the Golden State Warriors. Players are ranked on performance, with some of that based on preseason expectations.
Following an horrific altercation with exciting young guard Jordan Poole during training camp, it felt as if Draymond Green’s career at the Golden State Warriors was under threat and at the crossroads.
Having been away from the team for a period following the incident, and with his voice in the locker room substantially tarnished, Green needed to let his play do the talking to win back respect of those within and outside the franchise.
After a turbulent opening to the season, Draymond Green once again displayed his two-way importance to the Golden State Warriors in 2022-23.
While head coach Steve Kerr admitted that the Green-Poole incident hurt his team all season long, Green’s form on the floor could hardly be blamed for the Warriors’ ultimately disappointing campaign.
There was a more aggressive nature to Green’s offensive game right from the very start, scoring in double-digits in four of Golden State’s first six games. His ability to put up numbers in each facet of the box score continued, rarely completing a game without putting up double-digits in scoring, rebounding or assisting.
Green’s value was evident in a stretch during late November/early December, a period in which the Warriors won five of six games. The former Defensive Player of the Year was a cumulative +84 in plus-minus during the six games, having four games with at least 12+ points and three games with at least 10 assists.
As is always the case with Green, the raw numbers failed to provide an illustration of his impact. From early in the season, given the underwhelming form of James Wiseman and JaMychal Green, the five-time All-Star had to anchor Golden State’s second-unit as a small-ball five and primary playmaker.
Green again showcased his ability to play well above his height, filling a void for the front office who had assembled a roster bereft of any quality size. After an injury interrupted season in 2021-22, the Warriors were fortunate Green was a durable steady presence as they battled the absences of Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins at multiple stages.
The 33-year-old finished the regular season averaging 8.5 points (highest since 2016-17), 7.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists, while shooting a career-high 52.7% from the field. The slightly increased offensive output was again evident in the postseason where he had a 20+ point game in both series’ against the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers.
Green’s versatility again made him a candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award. He would ultimately finish fourth behind Jaren Jackson Jr., Brook Lopez and Evan Mobley, continuing a travesty that he remains with only one DPOY award in his trophy cabinet.
Next. Free Agency: Golden State Warriors lose out again as veteran guard chooses rival. dark
The Warriors have now made their choice. Poole has been traded in a deal for 38-year-old Chris Paul, and the first move of free agency was to re-sign Green to a new four-year, $100 million contract. One suspects not all is forgiven from some Warrior fans for Green’s king hit on Poole, but another quality season resulting in a championship may prove the panacea.