GREEN ENERGY
Power forward makes sure ailing Warriors don’t lose focus in victory
PHOENIX >> Draymond Green unleashed his emotions with the same intensity and speed that he plays basketball.
The Warriors were in the middle of completing a dominant third-quarter run, prompting Green to outwardly express his emotions for every key play his team made. Green threw his hands up when he sank a 3-pointer. Green clapped his hands toward Warriors center Zaza Pachulia after he made a defensive stop. Green slapped hands with Warriors guard Quinn Cook after he made a shot from beyond the arc.
With the Warriors nursing injuries to Stephen Curry (right ankle), Klay Thompson (right thumb) and Kevin Durant (ribs) for the second consecutive game, it seemed natural for Green to assume
the heavier workload as the lone All-Star in the Warriors’ 124-109 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday. Green had also done that in Friday’s loss to Sacramento. This time, though, Green’s playmaking and intensity empowered his teammates even more, while also posting 25 points on 10-of-20 shooting, 11 rebounds and eight assists at both the small forward and power forward spots.
“I call Draymond the heartbeat of our team for a reason,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He was out there doing what he was doing tonight and playing with energy and focus. He’s tremendous and really leads our team, no matter who’s out there.”
Green’s presence pro-
vided a trickle-down effect for the Warriors (5317), who are 2½ games behind the Houston Rockets (55-14) for the best record in the Western Conference.
Cook posted a careerhigh on consecutive nights with 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting, which marks the most points any player on a two-way contract in an NBA game scored this season. Warriors guard Nick Young had 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting, a day after shooting 5 of 15 from the field against the Kings. While Warriors thirdyear forward Kevon Looney added a career-high 13 points and six blocks, veterans Andre Igudoala (11 points), Shuan Livingston (11) and David West (10) also contributed.
Perhaps this was expected, considering the Warriors played a battered Suns team (19-52), which did not have star guard Devin Booker because of a right hand sprain. Then again, the Warriors did not have three of their All-Stars.
So Green praised most of his teammates by name. He also noted Cook belongs on the Warriors playoff roster. Though Cook said the Warriors have had no discussions
with him about that possibility, the Warriors could waive a recently injured and inconsistent Omri Casspi (tweaked right ankle).
“I sit here and watch and wonder how is Quinn Cook a two-way player?” Green asked rhetorically. “Then you got guys in the league that can’t dribble with their left hand, can’t go left or can’t go right. Then you have guys like that as a two-way player. I’m happy for him and happy he’s ready to show the world and happy that he gets rewarded and gets what he deserves.”
At the center of the Warriors’ effort was Green, who played a major part in leading the Warriors third-quarter charge.
“I took 20 shots, which is a lot for me. But I don’t think they were forced 20 shots,” Green said. “That’s been my goal. It’s not to come out here and say, ‘Steph, KD and Klay are out; This is my time to go in.’ They’re out, I got to do more. I think these guys can play the game and understand the game. It helps that I’m playing with guys with such great hearts that are not afraid of the moment and taking advantage of the opportunity.”
So after the Warriors trailed the Suns 60-52 at halftime, Green opened
the third quarter aggressively. He converted on a hook shot. He made a 26foot 3-pointer. He drove in for a dunk. He set up Iguodala for an open layup and 3-pointer on consecutive possessions.
When the Suns called timeout after the Warriors pulled ahead for a 78-71 lead with 5:01 left in the third quarter, Green poured out his emotions on his way toward the bench. The Warriors cemented a 94-85 lead minutes later to end the third quarter, capping off a stretch in which they outscored the Suns 42-25.
“He gets you so excited to play. He makes us feel like we’re the best team out there with the way he talks to us and the way he communicates,” Cook said. “You never feel alone out there because Draymond is there for you. When you mess up, he’ll criticize you. But he’ll also build you up. When you’re doing what you’re supposed to do, he’s your biggest fan.”
The Suns eventually cut the Warriors’ lead to 117107 with 2:45 left. No worries. Green posted up and finished inside. He then stuffed Suns guard Shaquille Harrison at the rim. Green then nailed a 3-pointer for a 112-107 cushion with 47 seconds left.
More help could be on the way.
The Warriors are hopeful that Patrick McCaw can return for Monday’s game in San Antonio after nursing a fractured left wrist in the past month.