Green ramping up his on-court activities
LOS ANGELES — More than 30 minutes after the Golden State Warriors’ shoot-around ended on Friday morning at UCLA, Draymond Green was still on the practice court drenched in sweat. While players, coaches and media members slowly cleared out, he was powering through the final drills of an individual workout led by assistants Kenny Atkinson, Jacob Rubin and Mychel Thompson.
Green’s uptick in oncourt activities is a promising sign for the Warriors with the start of the regular season 11 days away. The 33-year-old suffered a left lateral ankle sprain after accidentally landing on Jonathan Kuminga’s foot in a pickup game at Chase Center just days before the start of training camp.
It was reported on Oct. 2 that Green would miss four to six weeks because of the injury, which put his status for the preseason, and the start of the regular season, in question. He did not play in Golden State’s preseason opener at home against the Lakers last Saturday or Friday against the Lakers in Los Angeles, either.
However, Green appeared to be moving around fluidly in his full-speed workout. He did not show any signs of pain and his jump shot looked sharp. This was a noncontact workout conducted primarily in a half-court setting, and the Warriors training staff will be cautious with him as he regains his strength. But based on Green’s current level of mobility, could he be ready in time to play in at least one preseason game, or return to action when Golden State opens the regular season on Oct. 24 against the Phoenix Suns?
After Green finished his workout, he signed autographs as he made his way to his classic red BMW convertible in a nearby garage. Before he left campus, the Chronicle caught up with the four-time NBA champion to get an update on his health.
Green’s injury is expected to be re-evaluated on Monday.
“I mean, I’m just taking it day-by-day,” Green told the Chronicle. “I think as a competitor, your hope is to get out there as soon as you can. But as I’ve told you guys before, I have the ultimate trust in our training staff led by Rick (Celebrini) and the performance work.
“The one thing I understand about these guys … it won’t be just an ankle thing. It’s not just like, ‘Oh, your ankle feels better, you can go play now.’ That’s not how they operate. It’s, ‘OK, your ankle is better.’ We need to make sure all these other things are firing before we can put you back on the court in harm’s way. I understand the rehab process. … When (Rick) gives me the go, I’ll go.”
Green will need time to regain his rhythm, as seen with Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II and others at different points last season. Just because Green is entering his 12th season in the NBA does not mean the in-game preseason reps he is missing are any less valuable.
“You can’t simulate playing basketball,” Green said. “You have to play basketball. So it definitely matters, but you take the cards you’re dealt and play the hand.”
Chris Paul started the Warriors’ preseason opener in Green’s place, and was to do so again on Friday against the Lakers. The synergy between Paul and Curry, the two primary ballhandlers, has received a lot of attention throughout training camp. So far their pairing is off to a promising start, and Green likes what he has seen from them and the team.
“I loved our chemistry,” Green said. “We got guys flying around on defense, which is always going to be a staple. Last year we weren’t a great defensive team, and the way our season ended was indicative of that. So we know what it takes to win and the things you have to be great at.
“Additions like Chris Paul, Dario (Saric), and guys like that, you see how they’re going to help and make a difference. That’s a big difference.”
The Warriors’ offseason adjustments will not end when Green returns to the court. On offense specifically, they must find a way to balance the ballhandling duties among him, Curry and Paul.
Like Curry and Paul, Green views that dilemma as a good problem to have. He believes that the future Hall of Fame trio will seamlessly figure it out.
“We have three great decision-makers,” Green said. “Anytime you have three great decisionmakers on the court, I like the odds.”