Why ‘flawed’ Draymond owes Steph, Warriors best self this season

Why ‘flawed’ Draymond owes Steph, Warriors best self this season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

As the Warriors open training camp this week, the list of factors determining their direction this season is long enough to fill a book. It might begin with whether Stephen Curry, at 36, can maintain superhuman capabilities, no less important is whether 34-year-old Draymond Green can complete an effective season without doing time in NBA lockup.

Consider what the Warriors gain if Green has a season without suspensions, excuses and apologies. Someone who can defend five positions, makes winning plays at both ends, brings transmissible energy and adds IQ points to less astute teammates.

Someone who could at least approach the career-high 39.5-percent shooting from deep Green posted last season. Allowing for reasonably good health, all other factors – a reliable second scorer, rotational stability, a productive second unit etc. – rank lower than these two. If Curry can’t maintain or Green submits another season of absenteeism, nothing else will matter. The Warriors will be no better than mediocre.

Curry’s productive history give him grace, so Green’s behavior is the bigger risk. The more likely to fail. It has the central figures in Golden State’s orbit – Curry, coach Steve Kerr, general manager Mike Dunleavy, CEO Joe Lacob – holding their collective breath.

For now, they’re keeping the faith.

“I think he’s taken strides since last season, the incidents that occurred, to remedy that,” Dunleavy said during the annual preseason executive news conference last week at Chase Center. “I don’t have any doubt or hesitation as far as Draymond being available for those reasons. Certainly, other stuff comes up, there’s injuries, things like that. He’s not getting any younger.

“But he’s in a good mindset. He’s in a good place physically. He’s a leader of our team, and we’ll be relying on him a lot.”

If this sounds familiar, it’s because after each of Draymond’s malfunctions, those at or near the top of the team’s organizational chart always have expressed optimism about the future. And…

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Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-09-30 14:03:37

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