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USA Today via Reuters
Nov 12, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
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USA Today via Reuters
Nov 12, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
When the Golden State Warriors started their season with a 5-1 record, things looked promising. However, they are now completely off the rails and struggling to make a comeback. At 18-21, they are at the bottom of the Pacific Division. It also did not help at all that Draymond Green had been suspended one too many times.
After striking the Suns‘ Jusuf Nurkic in the face on 12th December, Dray was indefinitely suspended by the league. After serving a 12-game suspension, he was reinstated on 6th January. His return is expected to alleviate the struggling Warriors’ woes, especially defensively, but Dray thinks that it won’t make much of a difference.
Draymond’s return will not solve the problems
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DrayMagic believes that his return won’t magically revert all the things that are going wrong for the Warriors. In an interview with ESPN, the 8X All-Defensive Team star said, “Nothing ever just flips, I don’t look at myself as some savior, like this is going to save our defense or anything like that. I think I can help with communication.” A lot is on his shoulders as fans and analysts alike are depending on him to take the Warriors out of their slump.
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Yet, the defensive stalwart acknowledges that the best he can do is help improve the team’s communication on the hardwood. One look at their game and it is obvious that Dub Nation’s main defensive issue stems from a lack of communication. Having Dray’s voice back on the court will make a difference as he says, “And like with everything else, it’s contagious.” If we think about it, there is more to the Warriors’ issues than just the defense.
Bad luck for the Warriors this season
If we peel away the defensive issues, we see an array of significant problems plaguing the team. For one, top scorer Klay Thompson has been struggling to make his shots this season, averaging 17.5 points at 42.5/38.7/90.2. Compared to his career numbers, this is disappointing. On the other hand, we also have Chris Paul, vital secondary creator and GSW’s stabilizing presence, who recently suffered a fractured hand and underwent surgery; he will be out for at least three weeks.
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Watch this story- “Draymond Green drops 187 ranks lower after suffering more than 1,000,000 in NBA fines”
One of their top role players, Gary Payton II, has been inconsistent and earlier in January was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain (2 grade). He will be out for another two weeks. Moreover, Andrew Wiggins has also been seeing career-low averages in points (11.7), rebounds (4.1) and assists (1.5). Under these circumstances, the Warriors are falling apart, and only a miracle can put them out of their misery. Is Draymond that miracle? Well, that is to be seen.