It’s been a struggle for the Warriors (losers of five of their last six), who have struggled to stay afloat in the Western Conference standings. With frustrations rising amid the team’s recent downturn, Draymond Green, considered by many to be the Warriors’ heartbeat, admits he’s not particularly enthused by the prospect of fighting for a play-in spot.
“I hate f---ing losing, so when I step on the floor I want to win. But I'll be 100 percent honest with you, fighting for a play-in spot does not motivate me,” shared Green in comments to ESPN’s Nick Friedell. “We're in what, [9th]? Fighting for a [play-in] spot doesn't motivate me at all."
In a new wrinkle added this year, the 7-10 seeds in each conference will compete in a play-in round to determine which two teams advance to the postseason. College basketball has staged a play-in event known as the First Four since 2011 with many participants going on to achieve success in the NCAA Tournament including the UCLA Bruins, who are headed to this year’s Final Four in Indianapolis. It’s going to take a herculean effort for Golden State to avoid play-in status with the Warriors trailing sixth-seed Portland by 6.5 games with only a month to go in the regular season.
Green has appeared in five NBA Finals (winning three) and would surely welcome a sixth, though he’s having a hard time feigning excitement for the comparatively low-stakes play-in round, should the Warriors finish outside the Western Conference’s top six. “Playoff basketball is definitely motivating, but a play-in game don't motivate me. And that won't change today, tomorrow, in a month or two months or two years from now,” said Green, the Warriors’ leading assist man at 8.4 per game (good for seventh in the NBA). “I don't give a damn about that play-in game.”
The past two seasons have been quite the reality check for Golden State. With Kevin Durant gone (he joined the Nets in free agency) and injuries to both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Warriors were a disaster in 2020, finishing with the league’s worst record at a dismal 15-50. The Dubs have fared somewhat better this year with Curry back playing at an MVP level, though it’s been tough sledding for them in a loaded Western Conference.
Golden State finds itself firmly on the playoff fringe, a realization that’s been difficult for Green to accept. “The play-in situation isn't going to get me out of my bed like I got to bust my ass today because we're fighting for the play-in spot. That ain't going to push me."
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