Draymond Green has played inspired basketball to start the season and has been a major factor in the Warriors' 18-2 start.
During his bi-weekly appearance on 95.7 The Game’s “The Morning Roast: Executive Show” Warriors president and general manager Bob Myers discussed Green’s impact so far. Check out the full interview below:
When looking back at the past two seasons, Myers said Green didn’t have the same motivation while the Warriors missed the playoffs and dealt with major injuries.
“He has to have something on the line for it to matter,” Myers said of Green. “If you look at the last two years -- although at the end of last year I think he felt -- the year we were down with Steph getting hurt and Klay out, there was nothing on the line."
Myers understands the expectations that come with pro athlete salaries and offered an interesting view point about Green's production in big moments. Perhaps there's some truth to the "Playoff Draymond" moniker he gets from fans.
"As an athlete you’re paid a lot of money and we can all say, ‘Yeah, he’s going to be professional,’ but Draymond, he’s not a good player in an All-Star Game," Myers said. "He’s not a good player in a preseason game. In a playoff game, NBA Finals game, you wouldn’t pick that many guys in front of him. Game 7 -- you guys can do this exercise at some point -- pick a team for a Game 7, Game 7 winner-take-all, I bet Draymond is one of those 10 guys of the two teams. I bet he is. Because he plays the best in the biggest moments. He’s brought that intention to the regular season this year and I think that’s why we’ve got off to such a good start.”
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Green is averaging 8.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game while directing traffic on defense and making his case for a second Defensive Player of the Year award. Over the previous two seasons, Green averaged 7.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.8 assists a year with fluctuating fitness, as it took him a while to get into shape last season. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Green’s experience at the Olympics this summer jumpstarted a productive 2021-22 season for the 10-year vet.
Green recently said he's motivated to make his third All-Star team this year and is aiming for DPOY honors.
