There is officially Pandemonium in the Bay. The Golden State Warriors currently sit in 10th place in the Western Conference. Their playoff seeding hangs in the balance. The last seventeen games are imperative in deciding their fate heading into the postseason. However, they have been knocked down brutally. At first, Stephen Curry twisted his ankle and is yet to return to action. Now, the tremendous strain on Draymond Green has begun to take its toll.
Since returning from his suspension early in the season, Green has reinstilled himself as the voice and leader of the Warriors. His passion and energetic display on both ends of the floor have helped set the tone. While screaming instructions and ensuring orderly conduct, Green has made adjustments to regularly play as their five for floor spacing purposes. This has meant taking on players much larger and stronger than him in size. While he has been exceptional in battling these gruesome odds, the result has Warriors fans in distress.
Draymond Green landing on the injury list has fans enraged
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Green, the 34-year-old dynamic forward missed the game against the Dallas Mavericks citing discomfort in his back. It led to the Warriors dropping another game in the postseason race, losing 99-109 to the Mavs. It seemed to be a short-term issue given Green’s workload. However, the reality seems far more deeply rooted.
The eccentric NBA star revealed having faced persistent pain in his back for the previous five games. “It’s been bothering for the last 4-5 games… it’s painful. It’s the same area that I had an issue with before. My body keeps giving me these warning shots – I need to listen to it before I HAVE to listen to it before it’s too late,” said Green.
Likewise, Dub Nation wasn’t thrilled to see another pivotal piece of their puzzle crumble to injuries. Currently, even Stephen Curry is involved in the delicate process of healing from another ankle sprain, a recurring injury throughout his career. The elimination of Green has made them turn on their own front office. Many fans insisted the Warriors need to sign a true center to prevent having Green in the line of fire for such dangerous injuries.
Solution: sign a big
— ThisIsMyUs3rnam3 (@ThisIsMyIsUser1) March 15, 2024
This y we need a FUCKING a big
— Kane 🦖 (@4thaogzz) March 15, 2024
This is all nonsense. We need a real tall, big center and they keep on trying to have someone who can Rebound against the likes of Rudy Gobert, pass the ball, play defense against DD Jokic, and shoot the three ball
— Andy (@Terroir23Andy) March 15, 2024
Stemming from the same complaint, Warriors fans urged Steve Kerr to implement Trayce-Jackson Davis as the center and shift Draymond Green back to his true position as the power forward.
All along it should have been TJD at 5, Dray at 4
— CntmplteitAll (@CntmplteitAll) March 15, 2024
We have a Center, play him there. TJD can handle that, let Dray be the PF he is. He shouldn't have been playing that until the playoffs
— I-M-3 (@illaC_3) March 15, 2024
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Agree. Draymond didn't play at the C full time in his prime. Why does he have to do it at 34?
— 24 (@MambaRD30) March 15, 2024
After missing the game against the Mavericks, Green is listed to be a day-to-day decision. A call is yet to be made over his participation against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. Both Curry and Green could potentially return against their Purple and Gold if they are deemed fit to play.
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The veteran tandem will probably be on minute restriction in their first game back with close monitoring to check their recovery status. Do you think the Warriors need to revamp their strategy to take some tension off Draymond Green without giving his back problems? Let us know what you think in the comments below.