Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Draymond Green Shows a More Mature Side for Warriors
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
May 20, 2019

Share

PORTLAND, Ore. — Draymond Green would rather do more playing than complaining these days.

Known at times for his temper and tangles with officials, a more mature Green has the Golden State Warriors on the brink of a fifth straight trip to the NBA Finals.

“I realized I got to a point where I was doing more crying than playing. I’m sure it was disgusting to watch because I felt disgusting playing that way, and I just wanted to lock back in on the game.” — Draymond Green 

“I realized I got to a point where I was doing more crying than playing,” he said. “I’m sure it was disgusting to watch because I felt disgusting playing that way, and I just wanted to lock back in on the game.”

Green led the way as the Warriors rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 110-99 on Saturday night to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals. Golden State can finish out the series Monday at the Moda Center.

Green had 20 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists for his seventh playoff triple-double overall, and third of this postseason. All three have come on the road.

He also was instrumental in Golden State’s 114-111 comeback victory in Game 2. He made a bounce pass through the paint to a cutting Andre Iguodala for a dunk with 3:06 left to make it 108-105, and then assisted on a layup by Kevon Looney the next possession.

He finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and five blocked shots. He has collected 10 or more rebounds in eight straight playoff games.

Green said he has mellowed, and credited his family — including 2-year-old Draymond Green Jr. — for his newfound awareness.

Green Famously Suspended for Game 5 in 2016 Finals

“I understand that officials aren’t perfect and I still have conversations with them now, when they miss a call, but it’s a completely different conversation,” he said. “My mom has been really big. My fiancée has been really big with just talking to me about that and just telling me to stay locked in on the game. I also have some little ones at the house who enjoying watching me play. I don’t necessarily want them to see that. So just try to be more mindful of it.”

Green was famously suspended for Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers after collecting four flagrant foul points in the postseason.

Coach Steve Kerr said Green’s improved focus has been a big key for the Warriors.

“I mean, I think that’s been really obvious over the last couple of weeks, and I think it’s important because, when he gets upset and emotional, it costs us,” Kerr said. “We lose our focus as a team. I mean, he’s our leader.”

Green was much more than a triple-double Saturday night. He pushed the pace and steadied Golden State as it overcame a double-digit deficit against the Blazers for a second straight game.

“Once he gets the ball in his hands, he’s doing everything you’d want that guy in the middle to do,” Portland’s Damian Lillard said.

The Trail Blazers are going to need more from Lillard to get back in the series, and the star guard is playing though a rib injury. He had 19 points in Saturday’s loss, well off the 33 he averaged in Portland’s first-round series against the Thunder. He has been double-teamed often with the Warriors keying in on him.

Golden State Was Already Without Kevin Durant

No team has ever come back to win after going down 3-0 in the playoffs.

The Warriors were dealing with injuries of their own. Iguodala is listed as questionable for Monday’s game with an injured lower leg but the team reported his MRI Sunday was clear.

“Obviously, I’m not capable of doing what Kevin does on the basketball floor, and no one else on this team is. Or DeMarcus. So collectively, we’ve got to do that. I just try to take it upon myself to do my part and also try to create a pace that I know we can be successful at.” — Draymond Green

Golden State was already without Kevin Durant because of a sore right calf. It’s unlikely that the two-time NBA Finals MVP will return during the series against the Blazers.

Green said it’s important that he take on a more effective leadership role in the absence of Durant, who is averaging more than 34 points during the playoffs. The Warriors were also without DeMarcus Cousins, who tore a quadriceps muscle at the start of the playoffs.

“Obviously, I’m not capable of doing what Kevin does on the basketball floor, and no one else on this team is. Or DeMarcus. So collectively, we’ve got to do that,” Green said. “I just try to take it upon myself to do my part and also try to create a pace that I know we can be successful at.”

Kerr said in many ways Green reminds him a bit of Dennis Rodman, the coach’s former teammate on the Chicago Bulls.

“Draymond has just become a tremendous playmaker. He’s our leading assist guy, handles the ball and pushes the pace quite a bit for us. So, I think he’s actually a better two-way player but very similar to Dennis,” Kerr said, adding with a smile: “Not as good of a rebounder, though. I have to give that to Dennis. I’ve never met a better rebounder than Dennis.”

DON'T MISS

California Charter School Battles Intensify as Education Finances Get Squeezed

DON'T MISS

California Officials Debate Prop. 47 Changes to Curb Crime. On the Street, Answers Aren’t That Simple.

DON'T MISS

Campus Chaos: Students Across the US Rise Up Against Universities’ Ties to Israel-Hamas War

DON'T MISS

California Legislation Wants to Uncover the ‘Hidden Homicides’ of Domestic Violence

DON'T MISS

The Summer After Barbenheimer and the Strikes, Hollywood Charts a New Course

DON'T MISS

Fresno Oops? Garbage Hike Protest Vote Delayed by Error

DON'T MISS

Trump’s Potential VP Pick Boasts About Executing Puppy

DON'T MISS

Trita Parsi: Blind Support for Israel Erodes Western Democracies

DON'T MISS

Fresno Trash Hauler’s Response to Overpayments: We Followed the City’s Rules

DON'T MISS

Which Six QBs Were Selected in the Top 12 of the NFL Draft?

UP NEXT

Nuggets Close to Sweeping Lakers After Game 3 Win

UP NEXT

Jose Ramirez: ‘I Want to Make a Statement and Put on a Show’

UP NEXT

Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 6 Shutout Innings Help Dodgers Finish Sweep, Defeat Nats 2-1

UP NEXT

The 49ers Add Florida Receiver Ricky Pearsall With the 30th Draft Pick

UP NEXT

Andy Reid and Taylor Swift Agree: Fresno’s Xavier Worthy Is a Great 1st-Round Draft Pick

UP NEXT

Jayden Daniels Downplays Issues With Commanders, Says He’d Be ‘Blessed’ to Go No. 2 Overall

UP NEXT

Down 2-0, the 76ers, Magic & Lakers Hope for Homecourt Lift

UP NEXT

Shohei Ohtani Has 3 Doubles, Landon Knack Gets 1st Win as Dodgers Rout Nats

UP NEXT

Lindor Slugs a Pair of 2-Run Homers to Lead Mets Over Giants

UP NEXT

Boxing Star Ryan Garcia Wants to Meet Netanyahu, Pledges Aid for Gaza Children

California Legislation Wants to Uncover the ‘Hidden Homicides’ of Domestic Violence

1 day ago

The Summer After Barbenheimer and the Strikes, Hollywood Charts a New Course

1 day ago

Fresno Oops? Garbage Hike Protest Vote Delayed by Error

2 days ago

Trump’s Potential VP Pick Boasts About Executing Puppy

2 days ago

Trita Parsi: Blind Support for Israel Erodes Western Democracies

2 days ago

Fresno Trash Hauler’s Response to Overpayments: We Followed the City’s Rules

2 days ago

Which Six QBs Were Selected in the Top 12 of the NFL Draft?

2 days ago

Nuggets Close to Sweeping Lakers After Game 3 Win

2 days ago

Jose Ramirez: ‘I Want to Make a Statement and Put on a Show’

2 days ago

‘IDEA’ Is the Latest Career-Oriented Campus on Fresno Unified’s Drawing Board

Local Education /

2 days ago

California Charter School Battles Intensify as Education Finances Get Squeezed

California’s public schools, with nearly 6 million students, are feeling the financial impacts of a quintuple whammy. Dan Walters CalMatte...

1 hour ago

1 hour ago

California Charter School Battles Intensify as Education Finances Get Squeezed

1 hour ago

California Officials Debate Prop. 47 Changes to Curb Crime. On the Street, Answers Aren’t That Simple.

1 hour ago

Campus Chaos: Students Across the US Rise Up Against Universities’ Ties to Israel-Hamas War

1 day ago

California Legislation Wants to Uncover the ‘Hidden Homicides’ of Domestic Violence

1 day ago

The Summer After Barbenheimer and the Strikes, Hollywood Charts a New Course

2 days ago

Fresno Oops? Garbage Hike Protest Vote Delayed by Error

2 days ago

Trump’s Potential VP Pick Boasts About Executing Puppy

2 days ago

Trita Parsi: Blind Support for Israel Erodes Western Democracies

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend