Hutchinson: 3 takeaways after Draymond Green makes return in terrible Warriors loss to shorthanded Grizzlies

This was one of the worst NBA games you'll ever see from the Golden State Warriors. While Draymond Green's return brought some juice to the Warriors, they continued to look disinterested and declining.

Here are three takeaways from a pathetic, 116-107 Warriors loss to the Grizzlies.

After 16 games, Draymond Green returned to the court Monday night. He was welcomed to some boos from the sparse Grizzlies crowd, and responded, appropriately, with a straight-on 3-pointer.

It was evident from the moment Green checked into the game that his energy was effective. And on a team that seems to come out flat consistently, it's hard to imagine Green will come off the bench for much longer.

Steve Kerr did not give an exact number on Green's minutes restriction, but said that he was on a restriction.

Green's main beneficiary, especially in the first half, was Stephen Curry. It was clear that Curry felt like he could create more airspace for himself with Green screening and directing traffic.

As for Green leaving officials alone? Well, that didn't quite come to fruition. He demanded a foul on a drive to the rim, then talked to an official after the ensuing timeout.

He also exchanged words with Marcus Smart on the Grizzlies' bench during a Memphis free throw trip. It wasn't egregious behavior, but it wasn't quiet, and worth noting given that the Warriors, and Green himself, made that a point of emphasis. But the loss was so bad all that flew under the radar.

The Grizzlies are not talented, at least not this iteration. But as the saying goes, hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.

Memphis did not have Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, or Derrick Rose. Golden State had everyone but Moses Moody and Gary Payton II.

The Warriors did not work hard Monday. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies' unit, composed of guys you'd only know if you started a 2K franchise, played like their lives depended on it.

Golden State was embarrassing in possession, frequently throwing lazy passes around the court and failing to contest shots.

The Grizzlies had an absurd 57 points off the bench from four players, with GG Jackson, David Roddy and Jacob Gilyard playing them off the court from the bench, and Vince Williams Jr. giving them major problems. He did everything, scoring 24 points (6-of-111, 3-of-6 from deep, 9-of-10 at the line), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, a block and 3 turnovers.

Jackson was a nightmare for them defensively, scoring 23 points on 5-of-8 from deep, 6 rebounds, an assist, 2 blocks and 2 steals.

Gilyard was the real bellwether for this game. He is 5-foot-8, but wreaked absolute havoc. He had 11 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and, somehow, a block.

All those guys wanted this more than anyone on the Warriors.

You cannot be losing these games. And you cannot be losing these games in as pathetic a fashion as the Warriors lost Monday night.

The amount of horrible missed shots was only outdone by their ability to hold onto the ball. Golden State turned the ball over 19 times against Memphis.

For context, one of those turnovers was by Curry on his way up the court. He dribbled up towards half court while being guarded closely, then dribbled off his foot and out of bounds. That was the sort of night the Warriors were having.

Curry had 26 points (11-of-20, 3-of-9 from 3-pt), with 4 rebounds, 8 assists, a pair of steals, and a block. But his 5 turnovers were a major issue.

Here's a recipe for a loss: turn it over 19 times, shoot 32.3 percent from deep (10-of-31) and allow 40 trips (32-of-40) to the free throw line while going 10 times (9-of-10).

So, now we ask the question that's been asked for much of this season: where is this going? What now?

Unless something monumental changes, it's hard to see how this team picks up the pieces and pulls it together. They look old. They don't have enough size, youth, or energy to keep up with teams that play hard and have athleticism. And they're not shooting it well, playing defense well, or protecting the ball well.

The things Golden State has gotten away with in the past will not fly in the present. Trade Andrew Wiggins? Kuminga? Everyone? Just take a nap until the offseason?

All of these seem like reasonable approaches for a team that is now 18-22 and is indicating that even with Draymond Green back, they don't have the answers.