The Golden State Warriors keep proving they’re built for a deep playoff run. Despite challenges, they pulled off another gutsy win, edging out the Toronto Raptors 117-114. The victory came at a cost, though, with Stephen Curry exiting early in the third quarter with a pelvic contusion after a nasty fall. Draymond Green led the way with 21 points. But if there is anyone who lighted up the game, it was rookie Quinten Post. The No. 52 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft drained a career-high six three-pointers. But was it an absolute surprise? Probably not.

Just two nights back, after the Warriors’ 104-93 win against the Bucks, San Francisco Chronicle’s Ron Kroichick pointed out a somewhat shocking stat. “Warriors rookie center Quinten Post has made 53 three-point shots through his first 31 career games. Stephen Curry made 40 in his first 31 career games (2009-10),” he wrote on X. Yes, you read that right. Let’s go a bit further back to Post’s college days.

In his final season with Boston College, the 24-year-old from Netherlands made 43.1% of his 3-pointers and logged 42.6% from 3-point range the year before. No wonder one of Warrior’s most veterans did not take long to recognize the raw talent. And Post’s recent heroics only proved what Draymond Green had been saying for months—way before the 7-foot sharpshooter even got a real shot in the rotation. Green had spotted something special in Post early on. But the interesting part of the story is convincing Warriors’ owner Joe Lacob, that Green let out during the Warriors-Raptors post-game press conference.

“In training camp, I told Joe Lacob, ‘Joe, I’m telling you, this kid can really help us,’” Green revealed. “He shoots the ball extremely well, plays solid position defense, and he ain’t soft at all.” Yet, despite Green’s endorsement, Post started the season in the G League. Lacob wasn’t fully convinced the rookie was ready, and Green knew it.

“I know Joe was looking at me like I was crazy,” the 4x champion admitted. “I told him Post was going to have an impact, and he was still in the G League. But he fought his way up here, and now he’s a key piece in the rotation.” Make no mistake, this is not the first time Green said that about Post. He spoke quite highly of him way back in October 2024, in the Warriors’ training camp in Hawaii when Post did not even set foot on the court for the Warriors.

“I like him a lot,” Green had said. “He can shoot the ball. He’s super physical. He seeks contact on both sides of the floor, which is not always common in this league today. I like Quinten. He’s smart, he talks.” 

The former All-ACC Player had no idea Green had vouched for him so early. When told that the four-time champion had gone straight to Lacob with his prediction, the rookie was stunned. “That’s pretty cool. I didn’t know that,” Post admitted. He recalled the moment he first played alongside the Warriors veteran—a pickup run where the energy in the gym was dialed up a notch. With key players in the building, everyone was locked in, trying to prove themselves.

“I didn’t see Dray all summer,” Post said. “Then one day, he came in, and you know, 2-3 was there, so everybody’s kind of on edge, playing hard. We were on the same team, and we were cooking that day. I don’t think we lost a game.” That showing may have been enough to leave an impression. “I probably did myself a favor by having a really good day,” Post joked. “Maybe that’s why he thought so highly of me.”

Post’s rapid development has been a game-changer for the Warriors. Against the Raptors, he dropped 18 points in 22 minutes, going 6-for-9 from deep—his shooting proving invaluable, especially with Curry sidelined. Post himself believes that he gets along well with Green. “He just kind of brings flow to the offense. And I think I help him by spacing the floor,” he had explained last month. With the postseason looming, one thing is certain—Post has earned his place. And this gives head coach Steve Kerr one more weapon as he fine-tunes rotations, looking for the best combinations to keep the team competitive.

Top Comment by Tom Beltran

Look at Moses Moody now..How would you like him now.?

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Draymond Green receives praise from Steve Kerr amid lineup changes

The Warriors, nearly at full strength aside from Gary Payton II’s absence due to knee soreness, stuck with their usual small-ball lineup against the Raptors—Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. Since mid-February, that group has been the go-to starting five, barring one game Butler missed.

While this unit has dominated, posting a +19.4 net rating in 87 minutes, Kerr made it clear that closing lineups remain fluid. “The game usually tells you who needs to be out there,” he said, stressing that matchups will dictate rotations. Still, Curry, Butler, and Green will always anchor those final minutes.

Golden State’s depth allows for flexibility. Moody spaces the floor and takes on tough defensive assignments, Podziemski connects plays as a secondary ball handler, and Green orchestrates both ends. Off the bench, Payton provides elite perimeter defense, Buddy Hield, and Quinten Post stretch the floor, and Jonathan Kuminga adds physicality. Kerr is hopeful Payton returns against Atlanta.

Beyond lineup adjustments, Kerr doubled down on his praise for Green’s defense. Naming Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman as his other all-time greats, he explained what separates Draymond. “Scottie was dealing with Shaq, Ewing, and Olajuwon—totally different era,” Kerr noted. At 6-foot-6, Green defends everyone from guards to centers, much like Rodman. But his greatest weapon? His mind. “Draymond’s ability to process the game is next-level,” Kerr said.

With the Warriors finding their rhythm post-trade deadline, Kerr’s trust in flexible rotations and defensive anchors like Green could be the key to a deep playoff run.