“Draymond Green’s Explosive Comeback: Warriors’ Secret Weapon Unleashed – Can His Voice Save Golden State’s Season?”
MILWAUKEE — The fourth quarter was about to begin, the Warriors were down five key players and down two against the mighty Milwaukee Bucks. A street-clothed Draymond Green had to get involved.
Green got up from his seat on the bench and began orchestrating the first defensive possession, pointing and shouting his teammates into their proper positions to counter. Through a rough week defined primarily by miscommunication and funk, Green’s voice — even from the sideline — pierced the dead silence.
“He talks to guys during timeouts, during the game,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He has a great sense of the game and he was talking to JK about how to guard certain guys, which direction to send them. Draymond is a huge help and I’m looking forward to getting him back on the floor.”
The Warriors played some improved defense without Green in Milwaukee in that, for the first time in three games, they did not give up more than 70 points in the first half — against a potent Bucks offense, at that. But justification for the Warriors having lost seven of their last 10 games always traces back to poor defense. For the bad defense Steph Curry has blamed lack of collective trust, Dario Saric said roster unfamiliarity leads to a lot of overhelping that leaves opposing players wide open to score. But everyone blames this bad defense on miscommunication.
“It’s a little bit tough because we have so many people out of the lineup and the rotations are in a jumble and have been through the year,” Brandin Podziemski said. “When we get healthy and get everyone back, we’ll be solid. But most of it comes down to effort and wanting to do it.”
Players need to speak up on the court, and no one the roster — let alone the entire league — communicates on defense quite like Green. As the trade deadline approaches, talks of how a player swap and fresh blood can rejuvenate a contender will dominate the discourse. But so, too, will Green’s imminent return. And all signs point to Green returning either against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday or against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
Subscribe Now
53°F
Sunday, January 14th 2024
Today’s e-Edition
Home Page
Close Menu
News
News
Latest Headlines
Crime and Public Safety
California News
National News
World News
Politics
Education
Environment
Mr. Roadshow
Transportation
Weather
SiliconValley.com
The Cannifornian
Local
Local News Map
Bay Area
Oakland
Alameda County
Contra Costa County
East Contra Costa
West Contra Costa
Central Contra Costa
News Obituaries
Obituaries in the News
Local Obituaries
Place an Obituary
Opinion
Opinion
Editorials
Opinion Columnists
Letters to the Editor
Commentary
Cartoons
Election Endorsements
Sports
Sports
Oakland Athletics
Golden State Warriors
Raiders
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco Giants
San Jose Sharks
San Jose Earthquakes
Bay FC
College Sports
Pac-12 Hotline
High School Sports
Other Sports
Sports Blogs
Sports Columnists
Things To Do
Things To Do
Entertainment
Restaurants, Food and Drink
Celebrities
TV Streaming
Movies
Music
Theater
Lifestyle
Advice
Travel
Pets and Animals
Comics
Puzzles and Games
Horoscopes
Event Calendar
Business
Business
Housing
Economy
Technology
Real Estate
Marketplace
Subscribe
Log in
Close Menu
Get Morning Report and other email newsletters
Sign Up
East Bay Times
BREAKING NEWS Third man charged with murder in shooting of Oakland undercover Officer Tuan Le
SPORTSNBAGOLDEN STATE WARRIORSNews
Draymond Green’s return is imminent, and the Warriors desperately need his voice
Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green could return on this road trip
Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green #23 watches from the bench in the second quarter of their NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green #23 watches from the bench in the second quarter of their NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Author
By SHAYNA RUBIN | srubin@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
PUBLISHED: January 14, 2024 at 5:24 a.m. | UPDATED: January 14, 2024 at 5:24 a.m.
MILWAUKEE — The fourth quarter was about to begin, the Warriors were down five key players and down two against the mighty Milwaukee Bucks. A street-clothed Draymond Green had to get involved.
Green got up from his seat on the bench and began orchestrating the first defensive possession, pointing and shouting his teammates into their proper positions to counter. Through a rough week defined primarily by miscommunication and funk, Green’s voice — even from the sideline — pierced the dead silence.
“He talks to guys during timeouts, during the game,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He has a great sense of the game and he was talking to JK about how to guard certain guys, which direction to send them. Draymond is a huge help and I’m looking forward to getting him back on the floor.”
The Warriors played some improved defense without Green in Milwaukee in that, for the first time in three games, they did not give up more than 70 points in the first half — against a potent Bucks offense, at that. But justification for the Warriors having lost seven of their last 10 games always traces back to poor defense. For the bad defense Steph Curry has blamed lack of collective trust, Dario Saric said roster unfamiliarity leads to a lot of overhelping that leaves opposing players wide open to score. But everyone blames this bad defense on miscommunication.
“It’s a little bit tough because we have so many people out of the lineup and the rotations are in a jumble and have been through the year,” Brandin Podziemski said. “When we get healthy and get everyone back, we’ll be solid. But most of it comes down to effort and wanting to do it.”
Players need to speak up on the court, and no one the roster — let alone the entire league — communicates on defense quite like Green. As the trade deadline approaches, talks of how a player swap and fresh blood can rejuvenate a contender will dominate the discourse. But so, too, will Green’s imminent return. And all signs point to Green returning either against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday or against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
They need him.
In all, the Warriors’ 118.6 defensive rating ranks as the 22nd worst of all 30 NBA teams this year. More startling is their 124.8 defensive rating in the 16 games Green’s missed since his indefinite suspension hit on Dec. 12. Green’s suspension was lifted on Jan. 6, but Green has been ramping up into playing shape before he can play having not participated in team practices during his suspension.
“He has an ability to communicate, get us into defensive sets and guard multiple positions and just be one of the greatest defenders that ever played,” Klay Thompson said. “Should be easy for Draymond (to get back into the flow), he’s one of the greatest to ever do it. I don’t see it being too tough on him.”