Going into the 2024-25 NBA season, I was one of the many people who expected the downfall of the Golden State Warriors to continue. With the departure of Klay Thompson this summer, the dynasty we once knew was done, and I once again thought they had become a team that would struggle to make the postseason yet again.
Although I don’t want to overreact because it is only eight games in, the Warriors have been far better than I expected. They are off to a 7-1 start, were without Stephen Curry for a couple of games, and went into Boston this week and beat the defending champs.
Much of the Warriors' success this season has been attributed to their 12-man rotation and the impact Buddy Hield has brought to the team, where he has essentially become a cheaper, better version of what we saw from Klay Thompson over the last two years. While those factors are true, the one player I am not seeing get enough credit for the team’s early-season success is forward Draymond Green.
A lot of the lack of recognition is on Green. Over the last two years, his arguing with officials and somewhat violent antics have begun to overshadow how impactful he still is on the court. Even at age 34, he is still one of the best defenders in the NBA, both on and off the ball. He still has the ability to switch onto anybody on the court as he can effectively guard almost any player at any position.
On offense, he is still one of the most underrated passers in basketball and can still lead a fast break with the best of them. Sure, he still is not the best scorer or shooter in the world, but early on this season, he is shooting an absurd 43.5% from three, and while that likely isn’t sustainable, he did shoot nearly 40% from beyond the arc last season.
Some people believe he is past his prime because of his age and injuries. Of course, he is not as athletic as he once was, but his basketball IQ has only gotten better. He very well may still be the best screen setter in the NBA, and his versatility and game knowledge allow him to keep having an important impact. If the Warriors' success continues this season, they could have a real shot at doing something this spring. Of course, any championship hopes rely on how far Stephen Curry can take them, but without Green, the Warriors wouldn’t be serious contenders in the West.
Green will continue to be a player whose worth extends beyond his stats as long as he is in the league, and even the biggest Warriors hater needs to begin to give Draymond the credit he deserves.
Comments