Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is known for being outspoken to the point of moving and crossing lines. Most notably, he told now-former teammate Kevin Durant that the Warriors, having won a championship without him, did not need his services. The courtside conflict that spilled into the locker room was damaging enough to the team to warrant Green’s suspension.
But hotheadedness is not the whole of who Draymond Green is. Conflicts arising on and off the court are counterbalanced with heart and passion that inspire his teammates to victory amidst dire circumstances. The Warriors didn’t get past the Toronto Raptors in this year’s NBA Finals, but they stayed in the series for two Green-related reasons: 1) After dropping 20 pounds to start the playoffs on a lean and mean foot, Green was one of the few healthy Warriors in the postseason; and 2) When morale dropped as the injury wave further depleted the roster, it was Green who stepped into a leadership role to convince the team they still had a chance.
So, while Green’s extension may have come as a surprise to the public, it has been discussed behind the seasons for at least a year, according the Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
During media availability while serving in his role as assistant coach for USA Basketball, Kerr said:
We talked about it before. We talked about it before last season. So I’ve been talking to Bob (Meyers) about it. And, Draymond — I’m thrilled for him. Nobody deserves it more.
At various points during the season, Kerr seemed visibly frustrated with Green in front of the cameras to the degree that some pundits speculated on his future with the team. Now, it seems like the need to keep the power trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Green as the core of the team outweighs the occasional squabbles.
Plus, with Green committed to self-improvement, things should stay peaceful in Golden State.
