The Warriors opened their season like they ended the preseason: with a win. While they looked dominant and their offense seemed fluid, one moment would have left the Dub Nation concerned. Living up to his controversial past, Draymond Green picked up his first technical foul of the season in the very first game. But Steve Kerr made sure that the situation did not escalate to Green getting tossed as he refused to relive last year’s misery.

Well, the incident occurred in the second quarter after Green was called for a foul on Deni Avdija as they both dove for a loose ball. Sure enough, the former DPOY expressed his discontent with the call and began yelling at the official. Although the refs did not take any action at the time, Draymond continued chirping at them even while the Blazers were taking free throws. He eventually got penalized with a tech for his actions.

Addressing the technical foul after the game, Kerr said, “I mean, you’ve been watching us for a long time. So, Draymond’s gonna get plenty of technicals. As long he doesn’t get the second one, we’re fine.” And Kerr made sure that Green did not get a second tech as he immediately called a timeout after he saw the forward charging at the official for more back and forth following the first technical foul. Had it not been for Kerr’s quick thinking, Draymond could have faced ejection on opening night.

Continuing his point, the Warriors HC claimed it was their responsibility to avoid such incidents with Green, “You can’t have it all. You can’t ask Draymond to play with this amazing passion and energy and effort and tell him ‘No. No. You have to tone down the emotion.’ It’s all part of the package.” And the plan is clear in the head coach’s mind, “There’s gonna be a lot of technicals, we just can’t let him get 2.” That’s because he understands that the team could suffer in Draymond’s absence. Just as they did last time out.

The Warriors missed the playoffs amid Draymond Green’s dual suspension

Everyone witnessed last season how the drama surrounding Draymond Green can negatively affect the entire team. Well, the Warriors were never able to find their rhythm last year because first, they had to deal with Green’s five-game suspension after he put Rudy Gobert in a choke hold during a game. Then, just a few days after his return, he was suspended indefinitely for hitting Jusuf Nurkic in the face.

Sure enough, the two suspensions became the focal point of discussion for the Warriors and it might have even shifted their focus from the ultimate goal of winning a championship. They finished as the tenth seed and couldn’t even compete in the playoffs. Surely, Kerr cannot afford to have one more failed season, especially because of Draymond’s on-court antics. Even tonight, the technical foul did not matter a lot because the Warriors came out with a victory.

However, had they lost to the Blazers, Draymond’s antics would have become the talk of the town yet again. What do you think the Warriors should do to avoid reliving the past with Draymond?