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Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green still trying to regain confidence in key aspect

By Peter O'Keefe

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors grabs a rebound over Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter of Game One of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at the Golden 1 Center on April 15, 2023 in Sacramento, California. 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 Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors grabs a rebound over Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter of Game One of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at the Golden 1 Center on April 15, 2023 in Sacramento, California. 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 Loren Elliott/Getty Images) /
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At 33-years-old and with four NBA championships under his belt, many believe Golden State Warriors’ forward Draymond Green is past his apex as an NBA player. But for the former Defensive Player of the Year, there’s still areas of his game to improve upon as he enters the back end of his career.

Green’s cycle as an NBA player has taken a few different forms, but over the past few years he’s delivered a reputation as one of the most fiery, competitive and downright best defenders in the NBA, while also holding exquisite chemistry with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson as a playmaker on offense.

Golden State Warriors’ future hall-of-famer Draymond Green hopes to continue regaining confidence in his three-point shooting and overall scoring.

Recently joining Paul George on the Playoff P Podcast presented Presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment, Green revealed how he completely lost confidence in his shooting and scoring once Kevin Durant joined the Warriors in 2016. It’s an element he’s still hoping will return to a point from earlier in his career.

"“It was all confidence though.  And now I’m working to get that confidence back still. Last year was a big jump for me”, Green said. “But I’m still not there. That’s what excites me right now about my career going forward. I feel like I’m starting to tap back into that and once I tap all the way back into that I feel like who gonna stop me.”"

Green averaged 8.5 points in 2022-23, with that and his 30.5% shooting from three-point range a career-high mark since the 2017-18 season. Still, it’s a far cry from what many fans remember from Green in his earlier days.

Who can forget Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals? Many Warrior fans may actually want to forget given the final result, but it shouldn’t paint over what was an all-time great performance from then 26-year-old.

Green finished with 32 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists in the relatively low-scoring contest, finishing 11-15 from the field and 6-for-8 from three-point range. It was the very best from a player who was far more aggressive scoring-wise during that timespan. In 2015-16, Green averaged 14 points on 38.8% shooting from deep from 3.7 attempts per game — all career-highs.

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While Green may not ever get back to that sort of production, increased offensive aggression is important in adding another layer to the Warrior offense. He shows signs now and again, including two 20+ point outings during this latest postseason. However, it simply has to come in a more consistent fashion to truly worry opposing defenses going forward.

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